In Cyber-Heavy Week, Lawmakers Grill Obama Officials

If the number of hearings held are any sign, it’s clear lawmakers are worried about the US government’s delay in adopting a cyberdefense policy in the wake the recent agreement with China. The Senate Armed Services Committee was the first to express their concerns Sept 29, and there are three more congressional hearings during the week of Sept 28 on the same topic.

The issue comes into focus after President Barack Obama reached a “common understanding” on cyber conduct with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Separately, lawmakers are also anticipating reconsideration of a Senate’s cybersecurity bill sometime fall 2015. The Armed Services Committee brought some heavy hitters to testify, with Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work and Director of the National Security Agency Admiral Michael Rogers at the witness table. Deputy Secretary Work and Adm Rogers are slated to appear before the House Armed Services Committee on Sept 30.