Unemployment Aid Claims Drop

‘#24forOK’: Doc Thompson Begins 24 hour radio marathon to Benefit Oklahoma Tornado Victims!

Government

Obama Signs a ‘Secret Directive’ for Military Cybersecurity Operations

Nov. 15, 2012 9:05am
President Obama Signs Presidential Policy Directive 20 Giving Government Guidelines for Cybersecurity Action

he Homeland Security Department’s Control System Security Program facilities are intended to protect the nation’s power grid, water and communications systems. (Photo: AP/Mark J. Terrill, File)

Just as the Senate failed to pass legislation to protect the U.S. electrical grid and other critical industries from cyberattacks, it has emerged that President Barack Obama signed a “secret directive,” as reported by the Washington Post, establishing guidelines for the military to take cybersecurity action on both an offensive and defensive front.

The Washington Post quotes sources, unauthorized to go on the record but who have seen the classified information, who said the directive will help officials make quick decisions in the event of a threat:

“What it does, really for the first time, is it explicitly talks about how we will use cyber-operations,” a senior administration official said. “Network defense is what you’re doing inside your own networks. . . . Cyber-operations is stuff outside that space, and recognizing that you could be doing that for what might be called defensive purposes.”

[...]

“It should enable people to arrive at more effective decisions,” said a second senior administration official. “In that sense, it’s an enormous step forward.”

The Washington Post reported this Presidential Policy Directive 20, which was signed in October’s National Cybersecurity Month, is an update to 2004 policy that ends debate over who can do what in the event of a cyberthreat. The directive also reportedly details how officials will be able to take action in networks outside of their own to ultimately protect data of citizens and allies. The Washington Post explained further that debate is expected to continue about what a response to a cyberthreat could look like:

The new policy makes clear that the government will turn first to law enforcement or traditional network defense techniques before asking military cyberwarfare units for help or pursuing other alternatives, senior administration officials said.

The Post reported that action on the government’s part will still require White House permission. Information Week has more on this front:

Legally speaking, there can be a fine line between so-called defensive operations — such as conducting reconnaissance — and what constitutes acceptable levels of offensive operations. On the other hand, the existence of the new directive, despite its exact contents being secret, may help private sector organizations attain greater strike-back capabilities themselves.

Privacy advocates, like the Electronic Privacy Information Center, following the Washington Post article have called for Directive 20 to be released to the public through a Freedom of Information Act request.

CNET brought up that the directive will most likely face criticism from both sides — those who want to strengthen it and those concerned of government overstep when it comes to issues like Internet freedom.

The failure of the Senate Wednesday to move the Cybersecurity Act forward, which would establish a cybersecurity regulations for critical infrastructure, sets the Obama up to sign another executive order. His administration has said that if Congress does not pass cybersecurity legislation, the president will act to protect critical infrastructure companies from cyberthreats and electronic espionage.

The Hill reported that some Republicans opposed the bill, citing the burden some of the proposed regulations and standards would place on industry.

“Frankly, the underlying bill is not supported by the business community for all the right reasons,” Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) said, according to The Hill. “They’re the ones that are going to be called to comply with the mandates and the regulations, and frankly it’s just not going to give them the protection they need against cyberattacks.”

Related:

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Comments (50)

  • Steel
    Posted on November 15, 2012 at 7:30pm

    Like most “secrets” in Washington, this one too is no longer a secret. We not only have people sitting on their butts doing NOTHING, but they can’t seem to keep their mouths closed either. There’s always sh|t coming from one or another of their holes. Pretty soon it’ll be coming out of their ears and noses too. And STILL we re-elect these buffoons. When will you ignorant voters stop being so brainless and get a “pair” – cajones that is?

    Report this comment

    Steel  
  • zoro51
    Posted on November 15, 2012 at 2:57pm

    one more step closer to total SOCIALISM IMPEACH N THROU OT OF TH USA OBAMA NOW

    Report this comment

    zoro51  
  • RedManBlueState
    Posted on November 15, 2012 at 2:33pm

    Obama’s Cybersecurity? Hey look! RedMan is reading The Blaze!! Send a team to “collect” him.

    Report this comment

    RedManBlueState  
    • Platonician
      Posted on November 15, 2012 at 3:42pm

      You can be sure that this directive is aimed to curtail the rights of dissenters.

      Report this comment

      Platonician  
  • revelation2012
    Posted on November 15, 2012 at 1:54pm

    I don’t think they even check on O’s executive orders

    what a sloppy lOt of ‘brains’ & over paid

    Report this comment

    revelation2012  
  • revelation2012
    Posted on November 15, 2012 at 1:49pm

    congress needs fewer hours – they don’t know that O is middle of proxy wars behind their backs

    when they do a BILL there needs to be only ONE item per bill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    perhaps they can MANAGE to READ what they are SIGNING.

    Report this comment

    revelation2012  
  • Delores at CH WV
    Posted on November 15, 2012 at 12:48pm

    Well, polar bears are more important than citizens in the Senate.

    If we loose our personal freedom, just remember the useless citizens that play all year at the US Capitol. I suspose they believe they will be protected. LOL You Sirs and Ladys will be the first to go in this take over of America. LOL Suck up to the Devil at your own soul’s loss!

    Report this comment

    Delores at CH WV  
  • D.A.Veteran
    Posted on November 15, 2012 at 12:22pm

    Hell, I thought cyber security within our borders fell under Homeland Security. Weren’t they suppose to be the branch that works to bypass all the red tape so they can quickly take action against all forms of terrorism including cyber terrorism? We dont need another govt. branch created, we need to retrench and consolidate the present ones to make our govt. more efficient and effective. Put thieves in jail and deport illegals. Turning out govt into a large socialist govt. body isnt gonna work, obama. You need to resign and go back to Kenya and play G.I.Joe and the little Dictator there. After whats happening in Lower Sudan, you need to be in Kenya, for your people.

    Report this comment

    D.A.Veteran  
    • WarMunger_Al
      Posted on November 15, 2012 at 12:40pm

      if he had to do the order in secret, than it definitely can’t be good for America. Bypassing the supposed lawmakers yet again.

      Report this comment

      WarMunger_Al  
  • Truthbeliever2
    Posted on November 15, 2012 at 12:20pm

    Yes Obama has every right to do these kinds of operations on American citizens.

    Thank You NDAA. Thank You CISPA.

    Thank You Mitt Romney for throwing your support behind NDAA and CISPA

    Thank You Paul Ryan for voting in favor of NDAA and CISPA.

    And last but not least, Thank You Obama for signing them into law.

    Report this comment

    Truthbeliever2  
  • BehindTheMouth
    Posted on November 15, 2012 at 11:08am

    Obama is the black Hitler.

    Report this comment

    BehindTheMouth  
  • elosogrande
    Posted on November 15, 2012 at 11:01am

    Super secret? Why would they tell anyone Obama was signing the authoization, if they are trying to keep it “super secret”? Anyone with half a brain would deny the existence of such a plan.

    This administration might rank as the most stupid of all time. I believe they will make Jimma Carter look like a genius before they are through. What phonies! What buffoonery! They are experts at sucking up to the people who know how to get them elected, but that’s as far as their abilities go. They are totally incompetent, once they walk into The White House.

    Report this comment

    elosogrande  
    • shogun459
      Posted on November 15, 2012 at 11:07am

      Be glad there are patriots in the WH that make it a point to insure that things like this see the light of day. One day soon it will cost them thier lives.

      Report this comment

      shogun459  
  • bankerpapaw
    Posted on November 15, 2012 at 10:13am

    This petty little dictator will be signing “secret orders” left and right until we wake up one morning and
    ALL of our cherished freedoms will be gone. Count on it.

    Report this comment

    bankerpapaw  
  • AbrahamsSheepdog
    Posted on November 15, 2012 at 9:57am

    This is all part of a new more friendly web. 22 yr olds watching our words, military just for us now. We are losing it as a society I think. You can trust no one. Is there No standards anymore?

    Report this comment

    AbrahamsSheepdog  
  • DAYWATCHER
    Posted on November 15, 2012 at 9:52am

    Great…..When will people realize that this man want’s to be in complete control of everything? They have a name for those kind of leaders…… lets see ….. where have I seen this sort of leadership before…..hmmmmmmm……..Uhhhhhh…. oooooo….. China, Russia, Venezuela, North Korea……

    WAKE UP AMERICA……………Screw it…..it is too late now….

    Report this comment

    DAYWATCHER  
  • TROLLMONGER
    Posted on November 15, 2012 at 9:36am

    Beck is so full of right wing paranoia. And his old bots just eat it up and believe it without question. They did the same thing when Clinton won relection. The cycle of paranoia continues!!!

    Report this comment

    TROLLMONGER  
    • revelation2012
      Posted on November 15, 2012 at 9:48am

      Who do YOU work for ??????????

      Report this comment

      revelation2012  
    • Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
      Posted on November 15, 2012 at 11:23am

      Look at the liberals defending government espionage and the military industrial complex. What strange bedfellows. Funny, I seem to remember you all running around like loons about the Patriot Act and now you can’t seem to wait to drop to your knees for far worse.

      Guess it’s proof that you are all a bunch of brainwashed, hypocritical statists believing that the Blue Team is best. Y’all just just hold your “I’m an idiot” signs when you head out.

      Report this comment

      Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve  
    • Armyduderetired
      Posted on November 15, 2012 at 12:44pm

      Don’t feed the trolls.

      Report this comment

      Armyduderetired  
    • COFemale
      Posted on November 15, 2012 at 1:42pm

      Um no we did not when Clinton was elected. At least Clinton had some brains. Obamaites follow him without question and parrot his talking points, that is you Trollmonger.

      I don’t blindly follow Glenn, like you blindly follow Obama and his minions. I would call you a hypocrite.

      Report this comment

      COFemale  
    • GuruMeditation
      Posted on November 16, 2012 at 9:00am

      Revelation2012; I doubt Trollmonger works at all.

      Report this comment

      GuruMeditation  
  • Pillar of Fire
    Posted on November 15, 2012 at 9:34am

    Take that man’s pen (and credit card) away, arrest him for Treason & place him carefully in a Northern FEMA camp. That way we’ll all know what he’s doing. NO CIGARETTES!!! No more Orders either…

    Report this comment

    Pillar of Fire  
    • muffythetuffy
      Posted on November 15, 2012 at 9:45am

      WILL THE MILITARY CARRY OUT THIS ILLEGAL ORDER

      Who do the military people swear their oath of allegiance to, the President or the US Constitution? Is there any order Obama gives the US Military that they would not carry out? What if he ordered a nuclear strike on Austin, Texas? Would they carry out his order.

      Report this comment

      muffythetuffy  
    • encinom
      Posted on November 15, 2012 at 10:27am

      muffythetuffy
      Posted on November 15, 2012 at 9:45am

      WILL THE MILITARY CARRY OUT THIS ILLEGAL ORDER

      Who do the military people swear their oath of allegiance to, the President or the US Constitution? Is there any order Obama gives the US Military that they would not carry out? What if he ordered a nuclear strike on Austin, Texas? Would they carry out his order.
      _________________________
      What illegal order you idiot.

      He is the Commander in Chief, directing the military and civilian forces to protect the nation’s infrastructure. The President is fulling his Constitutional mandate and duty, again, idiot what is the illegal order.

      Report this comment

      encinom  
    • Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve
      Posted on November 15, 2012 at 11:17am

      Encinom,

      You want to link the text of the EO or are you just in default bend-over mode?

      Report this comment

      Rothbardian_in_the_Cleve  
    • ProudInfidelToo
      Posted on November 15, 2012 at 9:32pm

      @MUFFYTHETUFFY – It won’t be our military doing it. It will be UN forces.

      Report this comment

      ProudInfidelToo  
  • 65Mustang
    Posted on November 15, 2012 at 9:33am

    What has he done that isn’t wrapped in secrecy…everything he does is behind doors for a reason, corruption knows no bounds.

    Report this comment

    65Mustang  
  • thekuligs
    Posted on November 15, 2012 at 9:29am

    Hey wait, the husband is a cyber security specialist in a military.

    ::head desk::

    Report this comment

    thekuligs  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on November 15, 2012 at 9:27am

    The dictatorship of Obama is one step closer; how many will guess that if examined there is now an internet kill switch contained within its words?

    Report this comment

    Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • ares338
    Posted on November 15, 2012 at 9:21am

    Big Brother has taken control of the media and now it is taking the next step….the formerly free Internet. They want to cut off citizens from any real information.

    Report this comment

    ares338  
    • mikem1969
      Posted on November 15, 2012 at 9:34am

      Correct, but they just don’t want to cut us off from real information, they want to control the only information we see.

      Report this comment

      mikem1969  
    • barber2
      Posted on November 15, 2012 at 9:37am

      The international Left has been executing a Media Witch hunt against conservative Rupert Murdoch since July, 2011. The Left wants to ban all media opposition . Big Brother governments do NOT like free speech. Am sure guns will be Obama’s next target. He is the local franchisee for the International / UN crowd. They have laid the ground work for that suppression for the past 4 years in the American media. Zimmerman was a classic example.

      Report this comment

      barber2  
  • HOOT_OWL
    Posted on November 15, 2012 at 9:19am

    I feel safer already.

    Report this comment

    HOOT_OWL  
  • IndyGuy
    Posted on November 15, 2012 at 9:12am

    Don’t be fooled….This is Obama taking control of the internet…

    Report this comment

    IndyGuy  
    • qpwillie
      Posted on November 15, 2012 at 9:20am

      @IndyGuy
      Yep – soon sites like The Blaze will be banned for “national security reasons”.

      Report this comment

      qpwillie  
    • Pork_Anvil
      Posted on November 15, 2012 at 9:20am

      Hopefully the first thing he does is ban you from it.

      Report this comment

      Pork_Anvil  
    • momrules
      Posted on November 15, 2012 at 9:32am

      Indyguy……….Yes it is. These plans have been in the works for a long time. Soon we will only hear and see what the government wants us to.

      Report this comment

      momrules  
  • TelepromoterNChief
    Posted on November 15, 2012 at 9:12am

    Relax, we are from the government and are here to help.

    Report this comment

    TelepromoterNChief  
  • Pork_Anvil
    Posted on November 15, 2012 at 9:09am

    I guess it’s not such a big secret then, is it? Derp.

    Report this comment

    Pork_Anvil  

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love