Eric Geller

Eric Geller @ericgeller

As he wraps up the hearing, Durbin says, “I think that the [incident reporting] legislation which you proposed, Mr. Downing, is the beginning of a conversation with the administration on doing this … and we want this committee to facilitate that conversation.” — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

Cantwell, closing hearing, tells agency representatives to push beyond their silos and coordinate better. “You got to flatten the bureaucracy, and you got to get a game plan, and you got to implement new technology, and you got to get it done fast.” Hearing has adjourned. — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

Rick Scott: Should pipeline companies' hacking reports be made public? Pekoske: The reports contain sensitive information, but “I think federal agencies have a responsibility to anonymize that data and provide it in general format for the public." — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

Tester: Does TSA have the resources it needs to combat cyberattacks? Pekoske: "Additional resources will be particularly helpful" for training, workshops, and exercises. "I don't think we're at the point we have everything that we need." — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

Terrifyingly low number. — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

Jon Tester asks the witnesses if they're familiar with the Senate's cyber incident reporting bill. None of them indicate awareness. — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

Pekoske: "We had as full and complete data as we could at the time. ... We really oftentimes never have full, complete data. ... We needed to move fast to close a security gap with a system that's vital to U.S. national security, and so we used the best data that we had." — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

Blackburn noted that GAO recommended that TSA develop better sources of data about cyber threats to pipelines. So is it true, she asked Pekoske, that TSA issued its security directives without complete data on the threat landscape? — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

Marsha Blackburn was fairly critical of TSA's security directives, saying they created serious burdens on pipeline operators. Pekoske responded by reiterating that companies can propose alternative security measures as long as they achieve the same outcomes. — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

As always, follow Adam. https://t.co/SqHENDsBRW — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

Ed Markey asks why companies don't do the cyber basics. Pekoske notes the costs are going up so maybe companies will change their ways. "I often think about, if that $4.4 million had been invested upfront in [Colonial's] system, what could have been done with [those] funds." — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

Fischer: Can you share examples of some pipeline operators' concerns about the directives? Pekoske: One concern was aggressiveness of the timelines. “We understand that.” Another concern was whether we’d considered safety impacts. We did. — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

Deb Fischer: How are you working with pipeline operators to address security directive implementation challenges? Pekoske: SD allows operators to request alternative procedures "if they have a way to do something better." We've heard some concerns and are reviewing input. — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

Amy Klobuchar asks witnesses how to expand govt cyber workforce. GAO's Leslie Gordon says streamline clearance process, standardize training, explore reservist program. TSA's Pekoske touts DHS' cyber talent management system which leapfrogs slow traditional hiring process. — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

Cantwell, at the end of her first round of questioning at pipeline cyber hearing, said, “I was very aggressive with the Trump administration about this, I plan to be very aggressive with the Biden administration about this as well." — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

Good point. These are opening statement. The administration clearly doesn't mind this message getting out! — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

Notably, Goldstein is the only witness who was installed in his job by a Biden administration appointee (DHS Secretary Mayorkas). — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

Another mid-level official weighs in. Meanwhile, Biden appointees have been careful not to go this far. — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

A significant statement from a DOJ official, albeit not a Biden political appointee. — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

RM Roger Wicker: "As the federal government considers ways to improve the cybersecurity framework of the pipeline sector, it will be increasingly important for the public and private sectors to coordinate their efforts more closely." Expect Qs on TSA/CISA/industry partnership. — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

Also from Pekoske’s prepared remarks: * TSA is hiring 3 new cyber *policy* staffers within the next 60 days, bringing total to 9 * All pipeline operators have completed requirements of TSA's first cyber directive (self-assessment and point of contact) — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

From TSA Administrator David Pekoske's prepared remarks: TSA has 39-person pipeline security team w/ 20 inspectors; 8 security team members have cyber training; TSA hired 10 cyber experts as part of DHS workforce surge; and it's training some existing inspectors in cyber. — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

Senate Commerce Committee hearing on pipeline cybersecurity about to begin: https://t.co/E7e3ioUhGk Witnesses: TSA chief, deputy transportation secretary, and head of GAO's homeland security team. — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

Busy day of cyber hearings today: * Senate Commerce on pipeline cybersecurity https://t.co/E7e3ioUhGk * Senate Judiciary on ransomware https://t.co/K58P8hwszZ * Senate HSGAC on DHS budget https://t.co/YE2ylpQLvM * House Oversight on grid security https://t.co/FvF0CrNlg4 — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

@mikeduncan thanks for doing it — looking forward to the upcoming book talks! https://t.co/E7CkJABKOe — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

I preordered Mike's Lafayette biography and you should too: https://t.co/q6ON0gPZl3 And also pick up his other book while you're at it: https://t.co/AiXPWwmg5l — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

So great meeting @mikeduncan tonight (yes trust me that's us). His impromptu D.C. meetup was like a history and current events salon (if a salon got politely kicked out of a restaurant for filling up the bar so it had to go to another restaurant across the street). https://t.co/hd7SGkgkvg — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

"It takes a lot of chutzpah for Republicans to make accusations about keeping words when the biggest hole blown in the [financing] was made by them reneging on their agreement about enforcing the law on wealthy tax cheats." https://t.co/ATIX1F2RnV — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

Is this protecting and serving? — PolitiTweet.org

Eric Geller @ericgeller

🙃 — PolitiTweet.org