The Homeland Security Department should have the power to force civilian agencies to comply with cybersecurity guidance from DHS's U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team, asserted DHS Inspector General Richard Skinner before a House panel June 16.

The House hearing was held one day after the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee also held a cybersecurity hearing, albeit one tied directly to legislation that committee members have just introduced, the "Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act of 2010."