Americans want Defense -- not DHS -- to guard cyberspace, lawmakers say

Claiming to have the backing of the American people, lawmakers argued the Defense Department -- not the Homeland Security Department -- should guard the country against cyberattacks.

Currently, DHS has the lead in protecting private and civil government networks, including critical infrastructure systems such as the power grid and other utilities, but members of the House Armed Services emerging threats and capabilities subcommittee said at a hearing Tuesday that Defense should take the larger role. Defense officials told the panel that due to privacy and civil liberty concerns, DHS should have the lead in protecting private and civil government networks. Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX), chairman of the subcommittee, said in his opening statement at the hearing, "The American people expect the Department of Defense to defend the country in whatever domain it is attacked. That means that Cyber Command must be ready, and Congress and the administration must find a way to ensure that it has the legal authorities it needs and at the same time ensure that the constitutional rights of Americans are protected."