National Cyber Director debate raises broader issue: Is a major overhaul needed at DHS?

Congressional debates over creation of a National Cyber Director -- and controversy over DHS’ enforcement role during protests throughout the country -- are spurring policymakers to mull broader moves such as a substantial overhaul of DHS, imbuing the Cybersecurity and infrastructure Security Agency with much more independence, or making the proposed director akin to a cabinet-level officer.

“In creating DHS, we threw in the kitchen sink, everything we needed to prevent another 9/11,” observed Kiersten Todt of the Cyber...