*By Carlo Versano*
Most large corporations now employ a CIO, or chief information officer, who is charged with protecting and running the company's digital infrastructure.
Is it time for the federal government to hire its own CIO?
Rep. Will Hurd (R-Tex.) thinks so. He told Cheddar Friday that the spate of major data breaches ー even though they happen primarily at private companies ー warrants a federal czar to help protect consumers and potentially even levy penalties on companies that don't do enough to safeguard users' information.
Hurd noted that the vast majority of data breaches are made possible because some piece of software hasn't been patched, or permissions weren't properly secured. Typically, they're not sophisticated hacks. He thinks a "national breach standard" would help codify the processes for preventing these types of vulnerabilities.
"We're not following good, basic hygiene" with our data, Hurd said.
In addition, a tech czar would oversee the protection of the federal government's data, as well as cross-agency IT issues and would have the ability to audit agencies on their technology spending and help cut waste, Hurd said.
Hurd is one of just three members of Congress with a degree in computer science. But he said the importance of cybersecurity is at the forefront of many members' minds, even if they don't have the technical expertise to draft a bill. That's why he's doing it himself. "Recognizing there's a problem is important," he said.
Cybersecurity and data protection is one of the few truly "non-partisan" issues on the Hill, according to Hurd.
Hurd represents Texas' 23rd district, an 800-mile stretch from San Antonio to El Paso that includes more border-adjacent land than any other district in the country. He said technology could also help provide a solution to the border wall fight that has crippled the government. Specifically, he proposes a "smart wall" ー a combination of manpower and technology ー rather than a physical barrier.
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/rep-will-hurd-r-tx-wants-to-protect-americans-from-the-next-breach).
Oil companies offered a combined $264 million for drilling rights in federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday in a sale mandated by last year’s climate bill compromise.
Adidas is withdrawing its challenge to a Black Lives Matter trademark application featuring three parallel stripes, two days after it contested the image with the U.S. Trademark Office.
The state of Arkansas sued TikTok and Facebook parent Meta on Tuesday, claiming the social media companies were misleading consumers about the safety of children on their platforms and protections of users' private data.
Russia’s top security agency arrested an American reporter for the Wall Street Journal on espionage charges, the first time a U.S. correspondent was put behind bars on spying accusations since the Cold War. The newspaper denied the allegations against Evan Gershkovich.
North Carolina residents can now buy a handgun without getting a permit from a local sheriff. The Republican-controlled state House on Wednesday overrode the Democratic governor’s veto.
Longtime Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz is facing sharp questioning before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee where he is defending the company’s actions during an ongoing unionizing campaign.
Credit Suisse violated a plea agreement with U.S. authorities by failing to report secret offshore accounts that wealthy Americans used to avoid paying taxes, U.S. lawmakers said Wednesday.
According to a Reuters report, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon is being deposed over the bank's relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Capitol hill is trying to get to the bottom of the bank collapses that shocked the financial system last month, and today lawmakers grilled banking regulators about why they weren't able to stop the crisis. Cheddar News correspondent Lisa Bennatan broke down the proceedings.
Juul will finally have its day in court for its role in the teen vaping epidemic. The Minnesota attorney general is preparing for opening arguments in the state's lawsuit against the vape maker. Here to break down the complicated backstory for this legal case is Senior Reporter Chloe Aiello.
