Former Director of National Intelligence Admiral Dennis Blair urged tighter cyber security both from internal and external threats when he spoke in front of the Global Intelligence Forum at the National Press Club Tuesday morning.
Blair’s remarks come as the Obama administration deals with two major breaches in cyber security. Wikileaks leaker PFC Bradley Manning’s verdict is expected Tuesday afternoon while NSA leaker Edward Snowden remains in the Moscow International Airport transit area.
"Operational pressures push you to bring in security later [as with the case with Manning]. We were just sharing on faith, we should share with security," Blair said.
"We have to have a system that watches the watchers," Blair said, seemingly referring to Manning and Snowden, as both men had access to classified data but lacked oversight from higher-ups giving them an opportunity to leak sensitive information.
"Everyone [both public and private] with responsibility for a network must have a system like this," Blair said.
Blair was quick to advocate a strong defense for both public and private security.
"This is a combined private and public venture. … Private companies need 24/7 cyber protection centers," Blair added.
Blair was also quick to defend the recently unclassified PRISM program as well.
Revelations about the massive data-mining NSA program known as PRISM were published in the Guardian in early June when Snowden leaked a number of classified documents.
"PRISM is fully consistent with U.S. law," Blair said.
Blair went on to say that a lot of the mysteries around programs like PRISM could be avoided if the executive branch and congress are clear about the size and scope of these types of programs when they are started with subsequent "refresher" courses given regularly to keep elected officials up-to-date.
"I don’t think computer networks have invalidated what we know about intelligence and civil liberties," Blair said.
"We can do it all by maintaining our civil liberties." Blair said, referring to robust and proactive cyber security.
On China’s rampant hacking of the U.S. industrial base, Blair stated the need for an increased number of penalties for international hackers and for China to enforce its intellectual property laws.
Blair’s remarks come after Rep. Tim Murphy (R., Pa.) asserted during a meeting of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce earlier this month that China’s cyber espionage and theft costs the U.S. over $300 billion and 2.1 million lost jobs a year.
"I think it’s true that protecting intellectual property will be valuable to the [Chinese] in the long run … they have good laws protecting intellectual property they’re just not enforced," Blair said.
As Blair ended his speech he was asked what the NSA should do for a replacement when current director General Keith Alexander steps down.
"We should clone Keith and keep him as a replacement," Blair joked.