Chertoff Urges Caution on Potential of New Cyber Security Laws

Policy-makers and Congress should "proceed in a measured way" as they consider passing new laws or granting new authorities aimed at improving cybersecurity, the head of the Homeland Security Department said Wednesday.

DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff said he believes government has sufficient authority under current law to protect government and military assets. He also said that when working with the private sector on cybersecurity the government should "make sure we are invited in rather than pushing our way in."

DHS plays a prominent role in the government's multiyear, multibillion-dollar national cybersecurity initiative, which the administration launched earlier this year. The department is responsible for securing the .gov domain and is heading up efforts to work with private industry on the task. Meanwhile, the Defense Department is tasked with protecting the .mil domain and the Intelligence Community is responsible for its domain.