DHS Cybersecurity Team: "It's been a mess for four years."

[swag]

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1009_22-5891219.html?tag=st.num

U.S. cybersecurity due for FEMA-like calamity?

(Entire article worth a read for the interested; Senate Homeland Security Committee singled out for sitting on its hands, etc.)

But more so than FEMA, the department's cybersecurity functions have been plagued by a series of damning reports, accusations of bureaucratic bungling, and a rapid exodus of senior staff that's worrying experts and industry groups. The department is charged with developing a "comprehensive" plan for securing key Internet functions and "providing crisis management in response to attacks"--but it's been more visible through press releases such as one proclaiming October to be "National Cyber Security Awareness Month."

Probably the plainest indication of potential trouble has been the rapid turnover among cybersecurity officials. First there was Richard Clarke, a veteran of the Clinton and first Bush administrations who left his post with a lucrative book deal. Clarke was followed in quick succession by Howard Schmidt, known for testifying in favor of the Communications Decency Act, then Amit Yoran and Robert Liscouski.

The top position has been vacant since Liscouski quit in January. In July, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff pledged to fill the post but has not named a successor.

. . .

"It's been a mess for over four years, and hopefully the new folks will fix this," said Jim Lewis, director of the technology and public policy program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"In the previous incarnation, DHS and the Homeland Security Council didn't really know what to do with cyber--it's been a deer-in-the-headlights experience for them," Lewis said. "It's not clear who's even in charge. When you look at all the different committees who assert they have a role in cybersecurity, it's about a dozen. Whenever you have 12 committees in charge, that means no one's in charge."