Former intell chief to talk cybersecurity

 A Senate hearing scheduled for Feb. 23 may generate some interesting cybersecurity tidbits.

Former director of national intelligence Michael McConnell is scheduled to testify before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee about what is needed to protect the country’s critical infrastructure from  cyberthreats. The hearing is scheduled for 2:30 pm in Room 253 of the Russell Senate Office Building.

Dennis Blair, the current director and McConnell’s successor, made news earlier this month when he gave the Senate Select Intelligence Committee a blunt assessment about national cybersecurity.

“The national security of the United States, our economic prosperity and the daily functioning of our government are dependent on a dynamic public and private information infrastructure, which includes telecommunications, computer networks and systems, and the information residing within. This critical infrastructure is severely threatened,” Blair said.

During his tenure as director, McConnell, a retired Navy vice admiral, played a central role in the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative started by former President George W. Bush in January 2008. McConnell now works for the Booz Allen Hamilton consultancy.