Biden’s DHS Nominee Wants Cyber Program Review, After Attack

The Department of Homeland Security will do a “thorough review” of its cybersecurity detection programs as a result of the Russia-linked SolarWinds attack, President-elect Joe Biden’s DHS secretary nominee, Alejandro Mayorkas, told the Senate Homeland Security Committee Tuesday. Mayorkas said the department will review its Einstein program and the continuing diagnostics and mitigation program to ensure they’re “appropriately designed and effectively executed.”

The attack revealed vulnerabilities across the government and officials need to understand why the U.S. wasn’t able to detect it, said Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, agreed the attack showed the federal government isn’t prepared. He suggested to Mayorkas that DHS’ Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is stretched thin and without a focused mission. Mayorkas agreed CISA must improve its “cyber hygiene” and strengthen private partnerships.

At Hassan's suggestion, Mayorkas said he’s open to a federal stand-alone cybersecurity grant program, which, Hassan noted, the National Governors Association supports. He looked forward to examining a grant proposal. Hassan said DHS and DOJ have grant programs for physical defenses, but the U.S. needs to catch up with cyber grants.

Cybersecurity will be one of DHS’ “highest priorities” if he’s confirmed, Mayorkas told Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah. Romney said the U.S. “is woefully unprepared” from a cyber standpoint. He hopes Mayorkas will focus on bringing a “whole new level of expertise” on defensive and offensive actions, protecting the government and economy from enemies.

Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz., cited the threat of ransomware attacks on medical, academic and government organizations in her state. Mayorkas committed to working with her on exploring opportunities to enhance cybersecurity education.

Whether it’s bolstering cybersecurity, combating domestic terrorism, controlling the COVID-19 pandemic or addressing climate change, the U.S. needs an experienced secretary, said ranking member Gary Peters, D-Mich. He noted Mayorkas has the support of the Fraternal Order of the Police, and the Senate has confirmed him three times.

Also Tuesday, the Center for Democracy & Technology sued DHS for “failure to respond to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests about how the government monitors and uses social media data in its immigration and naturalization work.” CDT cited reports that DHS refuses “entry to visa holders based solely on what their social media connections have posted online.” CDT said it has been waiting more than a year since DHS’ deadline. The agency didn’t comment.