Hill pushes for more national security software investments by feds

The U.S. government has been urged by House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith, D-Wash., to significantly increase investments in upgrading national security communications and software to ensure that they are adequately protected against cybersecurity threats, CyberScoop reports. "We're talking about software systems that, you know, operate our missiles and our ships and everything, they just don't, they are not as protected as they should be. When it comes to cyber, protecting our systems, I think, is our greatest problem right now even more so than our ability to exploit other people's systems, though we certainly need to develop that capability as well," said Smith. Smith also noted that while the Department of Defense has not freely led cyber operations without oversight, the existing system has been working appropriately. "Theres going to be oversight, and there needs to be oversight and I think having NSA and Cyber [Command] together gives you an appreciation for the threats and the possibilities. I think that system works fine," added Smith.