This Week in Tech: USCYBERCOM chief to weigh in on cybersecurity gridlock in Congress

By Jennifer Martinez - 10/01/12 09:15 AM ET

Congressional action on cybersecurity is at a standstill as lawmakers gear up for the elections, but it’s still an issue that top government and industry officials are keeping a close eye on.

The attention has been focused on the White House’s executive order on cybersecurity, which administration officials have acknowledged is in the works and aimed at protecting key U.S. infrastructure from cyber attacks. Still, uncertainty remains around the measures in the order and when it will be unveiled.

Discussion about the draft cyber order is sure to come up during two cybersecurity-focused events next week that will feature Gen. Keith Alexander, the head of U.S. Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency (NSA).

Alexander and Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) on Monday will discuss why the public should care about the congressional gridlock over cybersecurity at an event hosted by the Wilson Center and NPR. Anthony Romero, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, will also participate on the panel. The event will focus on how the United States lacks a clear and coordinated policy to mitigate the growing cyberthreat facing the country due in part to congressional gridlock on cybersecurity legislation.

Alexander will also be speaking at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Cybersecurity Summit on Thursday. The all-day summit will cover how to improve information-sharing about cyberthreats between government and industry, the strategies that industry is using to protect its computer systems, and international standards and norms for cybersecurity. Also participating in the event will be House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and former NSA Director Michael Hayden among others.

In other tech news, the first presidential debate between President Obama and GOP contender Mitt Romney will take place Wednesday, and Facebook, Google and other tech giants have special plans in store. Facebook is holding a series of interviews and discussions at the University of Denver that will be streamed online, and users can submit questions for the panelists on the social networking site. The “Facebook Politics Live” show will feature interviews with Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper.

Google, AOL and Yahoo! are partnering up with the Commission on Presidential Debates to launch “The Voice Of ___” digital effort. The three companies are launching sites dedicated to the debates that will provide access to debate footage and information about the issues. The sites will also stream the debates live.