"The Department is falling short in fulfilling its basic obligations to state and local governments," said Thompson in a release today. "Despite the many working groups, documented strategies, and reports, there remains a disconnect. I am seriously concerned that the Department's failure to name an Assistant Secretary of Cybersecurity is hindering our nation's cybersecurity efforts. It is shameful that the top cyber spot in our nation has remained vacant since October 2004.
"It is unacceptable that in this day and age, the majority of our states are not well equipped to defend themselves from a cyberattack, should one occur," said Thompson.
The Democratic Staff of the House Homeland Security Committee issued an analysis which outlines several cybersecurity gaps the Department of Homeland Security has allegedly failed to address. The analysis highlights recommendations from the NASCO/MIX survey the Department could use to maximize and improve preparedness on all levels, including improving communications with state and local information officers; eliminating redundancies in federal alert systems; offering more high quality training to state and local officials; improving Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center (MS-ISAC) coordination; and seeking more funding for the National Cyber Security Division.
Thompson said, "The NASCIO/MIX survey indicates that much more must be done to improve training, funding, and intercommunication efforts between the federal, state and local governments in order to secure our national cyberspace."
