US cybersecurity strategy yet to solidify

More than a year after President Obama made a White House speech proclaiming the protection of computer networks a national priority, the federal government is still grappling with key questions about how to secure its computer systems as well as private networks deemed critical to U.S. security.

The administration unveiled a cyberspace policy review last year, and Obama appointed a White House cyber coordinator in December to synchronize the government's efforts. But the administration is still debating whether it needs new legal authorities - to strengthen the government's ability to defend private-sector networks, for example - or whether current law allows such actions. Meanwhile, critics say officials have not adequately assuaged privacy concerns or determined the extent to which the government should regulate or collaborate with the private sector to ensure that telecommunications companies, electric utilities and other critical industries are protected against hackers. Congress, meanwhile, has crafted dozens of bills with varying prescriptions to improve the country's cyber security - including one that would place new security requirements, enforceable by the federal government, on certain elements of critical private-sector networks - but the White House has yet to weigh in with a position on any of them.