Former CIA Director Disappointed In Response To Election Hacking

OXON HILL, Md. -- Former CIA director John Brennan is rarely without an opinion, and he shared his disappointment Monday on the collective American response to Russian election hacking.

There is "no question" the Russians interfered in the 2016 presidential election won by President Donald J. Trump over Democratic challenger Hillary Clinton, Brennan told 2017 LIMRA Annual Conference attendees. And the former intelligence agent expected an outraged America.

But that hasn't happened -- yet.

"I don't think it has sparked the kind of outrage it deserves," Brennan said.

The 62-year-old Brennan served under three presidents -- Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Barack Obama -- and spoke highly of each man. Asked about Trump, Brennan answered slyly: "I never served under him." Brennan has been sharply critical of Trump in the past.

Pressed by moderator Will Fuller, president for annuity solutions with Lincoln Financial Group, Brennan hinted that he is not a fan of the 45th president.

"The approach of The Art of the Deal doesn't translate well to the international stage," Brennan said, alluding to the title of the Trump book.

During a recent appearance, Brennan put the odds of war with North Korea at 20 percent. He cringed at the publicity that comment drew, but he didn't back down from it either. Both Trump and Kim Jong-un are far too inflammatory with their comments, he said.

"Even if it's an incident that is minor, that could quickly escalate" and result in mass casualties, said Brennan, who led the CIA from 2013 until January 2017.

"I blame Confucius, who said 'May you live in interesting times,'" he said shortly after taking the stage. "I wish it was a little less interesting."

Brennan spoke in-depth about cybersecurity and characterized it as a threat as high as any other facing the United States. The cyber threat is similar to the cardiovascular system in a human, he explained, with capabilities that stretch around the world.

Speaking to his audience, Brennan said digital exposure is something that everyone in business needs to be mindful of at all times.

"You have to be aware of everything you're doing and how the digital environment affects it," he said.

A self-described "optimist," Brennan nonetheless painted a bleak picture of the immediate future. Our failure to invest in and adapt our educational system means students are emerging unprepared to deal with an increasingly automated and technical world, he said.

"I think people see 2017 and the next decade as being unsettled," Brennan concluded.

InsuranceNewsNet Senior Editor John Hilton has covered business and other beats in more than 20 years of daily journalism. John may be reached at john.hilton@innfeedback.com.

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