Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) wrote to three federal officials to remind them of existing legal measures that McCain said the government should adopt to deter hackers who target U.S. infrastructure, The Hill newspaper reported Thursday.
Cory Bennett writes McCain has asked Director of National Intelligence James Clapper to explain why the Obama administration has delayed cyber deterrence policy formulation that is mandated by the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act.
The lawmaker also told Clapper that the White House has not yet provided Congress with a report on foreign countries that attempt to steal U.S. trade secrets, the newspaper reports.
Federal News Radio reported that McCain also sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch telling them about the White House’s lack of efforts to implement sanctions against cyber adversaries.
“The failure to utilize these authorities is alarmingly consistent with this administration’s refusal to articulation a robust strategy to deter cyber attacks against the U.S.,” the senator told Johnson and Lynch.
Several lawmakers believe implementation of a deterrence strategy will help government, companies and individuals against threats in cyberspace, according to the story by Scott Maucione.
