Briefly noted

Published 23 September 2008

Debating whether DHS should have cybersecurity responsibilities… FDA revisits refused foods issue… DoD tests contractors’ ID cards

Draft cybersecurity review has DHS on defensive
DHS and a commission of cybersecurity experts are butting heads over how best to protect the U.S. computer networks in a dispute that the next president and Congress will have to settle. The commission, established by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), doubts that DHS should be in charge of securing federal computer networks, according to a draft report under consideration by its members.

Homeland Security: Don’t take away our cybersecurity responsibility
After a week of dealing with critics arguing that some agency other than DHS should handle the U.S. cybersecurity efforts, DHS has come to its own defense.  DHS undersecretary Robert Jamison said in a new blog post that “we must stay the course” and cybersecurity responsibility should not be reshuffled.

FDA proposes rule for refused imports
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a proposed rule to reduce the practice called “port shopping,” or trying to gain entry at different ports when a potential import has already been rejected. The F.D.A. requires such foods must be exported or destroyed. The proposed rule would require shipping containers of food barred from entry and accompanying documents to be labeled as refused to make it easier to detect food previous refused. “This system will make it more difficult for food importers to evade import controls after being denied admission into the United States,” said Randall Lutter, deputy commissioner for policy. “It will complement our ongoing efforts to monitor food imports.” The rule would require denied imports to bear a label that would read, “United States: Refused Entry.” The rule would also implement a provision of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002.

DOD tests contractors’ ID cards
The Army is testing a program that allows contractors to use an identification card approved by the Defense Department to gain access to the service’s facilities and computers.