Sec Napolitano: Administration will act on cybersecurity if Congress fails to pass bill

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said the executive branch stands ready to issue an executive order on cybersecurity if Congress fails to pass legislation that boosts the defenses of critical infrastructure against a cyberattack.

Sec Napolitano noted that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) plans to revive efforts to pass cybersecurity legislation in November and said the administration will be keeping a close eye on whether Congress can make any progress. "We'll have to wait and see when the Congress comes back. They've got a long list of things that need to be dealt with," Sec Napolitano said at an event hosted by the Center for Strategic & International Studies' Women in International Security organization. "But again my hope, the ideal way to go is through Congress, but if Congress cannot act, then the executive branch is going to have to." The Homeland Security Secretary said the administration is currently reaching out to the private sector and stakeholders about the order to "look at it and get some feedback" before it's issued, "if there is ultimately that decision to go by the executive order."