Perez wants in-house cybersecurity expert at DNC

by Rebecca Savransky - 01/11/17 8:53 AM ET

Labor Secretary Tom Perez wants the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to have an in-house chief cybersecurity officer.

“I think this office should report directly to the chair,” Perez, a top candidate to become the next chairman of the DNC, told Politico on Wednesday.

“And, among other responsibilities, have them proactively monitor the DNC for attacks and breaches.”

Perez added he thinks it’s equally important to make sure the chief cybersecurity officer works with all of the committee’s state partners.

{mosads}”Because I’m confident we can fortify the front door and prevent future breaches,” he said.

“At the same time, it’s critically important all the windows are closed as well.”

The intelligence community said in a declassified report released last week that Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered a widespread influence campaign intended to help elect Donald Trump to the White House.

The president-elect and members of Trump’s team have blasted the DNC for not better protecting itself against these attacks.

“Yes, we have bad actors around the world. We have had bad actors, including the Russians,” incoming White House chief of staff Reince Priebus said during an interview on “Fox News Sunday.”

“But we also have a problem when we have a major political institution that allows foreign governments into their system with hardly any defenses or training.”

Trump tweeted earlier this month that “gross negligence by the Democratic National Committee allowed hacking to take place.” He said the Republican National Committee, on the other hand, had “strong defense.”

Tags Donald Trump