Search: Home Bugtraq Vulnerabilities Mailing Lists Jobs Tools Beta Programs
Experts: U.S. needs to defend its "cyber turf"
Robert Lemos, SecurityFocus 2009-03-11

It's high time that the United States drew a line around its networks and pledged to defend its interests in cyberspace.

Comments Mode:
Experts: U.S. needs to defend its "cyber turf" 2009-03-12
In the cloud
Monroe Doctrine......Well, I will give credit for trying....putting world on notice; well, if the panel has not figured it out, the "world" did give "noticies" to the US for a decade now. Our friends and foes had been conducting cyber warfare, systematically targeting the US in all major disciplines of net ops.

The panel is suggesting more comingling or sharing of roles and responsibilities between the government and private sector: IMHO, this should be a "product" of cyber initiative, versus THE cyber initiative: We need to quickly resolve the issues of "who is in charge" and the "cyber law" to allow a timely, unified effort in cyber activities across all layers of government domain. Equally important and pressing is the need for an independent government grid that is segregated from the private sector.

Before any nay sayers jump all over this, the amount of money government would spend in dealing with and consulting with and sharing with the private sector to maintain some semblance of security would be horrendous. Why not redirect that cost into building the government grid? Yes, establishing an autonomous government grid would be expensive and would prove to be a technical / logistical nightmare in order to untangle the current grid from the private sector, simultaneously reconnecting the grid to the new foundation. However building an independent government infrastructure would pave the way for a more manageable and effective defensive security posture. Some aspects of resources are already in place. But this is only the start: Static lines of defense is only meant to be tear down. A better defense is effectively neutralizing your enemy through precise and coordinated attack. Currently, IMHO, effective offensive capabilities under the law is almost impossible. Our law and the lawyers don't move at the speed of light. The US law has to be modified. This is where the panel of experts can shine: Having access to the law makers, it is crucial in your capacity to attain a buy-in from the law makers and ensure they have a solid understanding of what cyber is and how is it that we can't operate effectively under the existing regulations and guidance.

As is, the US is lagging behind: this is not about capabilities, technology, etc, but the will of government to conduct net ops, and people's comprehension and their ability to differentiate the cyber issues from traditional application of the law in protecting this country and their rights.

[ reply ]

Link to this comment: http://www.securityfocus.com/comments/articles/11548/35345#35345







 

Privacy Statement
Copyright 2009, SecurityFocus