DNI nominee lists cybersecurity as priority

Dennis Blair, President Barack Obama’s nominee as the country’s top intelligence official, said today cybersecurity would be a priority during his tenure.

During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Select Intelligence Committee to be director of national intelligence, Blair emphasized the role that the intelligence community -– in particular the National Security Agency –- had in protecting networks. He also stressed the need for the government officials to work with the private sector and share expertise on cybersecurity.

“It’s a crew race,” he said. “The offense pulls ahead -– you find out -– then the defense pulls ahead. We’ve got to keep stroking, faster, better, with more teamwork.”

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence plays a central roll in coordinating the government’s Comprehensive National Cyber Security Initiative and Mike McConnell, the outgoing director of national intelligence, recently said cybersecurity was “the soft underbelly of this country.”