McCaul: Threat of Cyber-Attacks on Utilities Growing says House Cyber-Security Leader

The exact thing terrorists want to exploit. By Cong. Michael McCaul Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. Last week I chaired a hearing examining ethical standards within CBP ICE & TSA in light of 1000s of allegations of misconduct.  This includes nearly 900 instances of corruption among Border Patrol agents who collaborated with drug smugglers and filed fraudulent travel documents     Dozens of airport security personnel were fired for allowing thousands of pieces of luggage onto flights without proper screening and for taking bribes allowing passengers expedited security checks.  This is exactly the kind of thing the terrorists want to exploit. During the hearing and in a separate meeting with CBP we discussed the need for classifying CBP agents as national security positions which would allow for polygraphs throughout employment rather than just before hiring.  CBP estimates its agents become susceptible to corruption by the cartels eight years into employment.  This week in response to my hearing ICE Director John Morton sent a letter to all of his employees reiterating the agencys policies on integrity and ethics.

Hearing Q&A:   Need for More CBP Polygraphs to Prevent Cartel Infiltration Fox News Channel:   Hearing Coverage by Catherine Herridge Fox 26 Houston:   McCaul Interview with Jose Grinan on Border Cartel Violence CBS News:   Homeland Security IG Investigates Fast & Furious

CYBERSECURITY On Thursday I hosted a cybersecurity roundtable discussion with the City of Austin Austin Energy LCRA and ERCOT.  This was a productive dialogue discussing the threat to our critical infrastructure and progress that our energy producers and providers have made to secure their assets. Austin American-Statesman: Threat of cyberattacks on utilities is growing McCaul says