#4: A Cyber Leadership Deficit
There has been a lot of talk about cyber security over the last few months. The Obama Administration named it as one of its number one homeland security priorities. Everyone in Washington has an opinion about what should be done from regulating the private sector to more research and development. There is also disagreement over who should take the lead. Some plans start with the private sector, some start with Congress. Others think the White House should direct the strategy for cyber security, and there are more squabbles over which agency.
What is apparent, however, is that the cyber is an issue. Attacks, directed against the public and private sectors, have intensified over the past decade. And both state and non-state actors are getting in the mix.
To combat these threats, the federal government needs a high level of competency on cyber security issues. As Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell phrased it, the country is “not prepared to deal with it. The military is best protected, the federal government is not well protected, and the private sector is not well protected.”
James Carafano and Eric Sayers have recommended ways in which to develop these cyber strategic leadership skills in the U.S. government and private sector. For instance, they emphasis the need for “a professional development system that can provide a program of education, assignment and accreditation to develop a corps of experienced dedicated service professionals who have expertise in the breadth of issues related to the cyber environment.”
But Carafano and Sayers don’t make this a government-only endeavor. They point that that “this program must be backed by effective public-private partnerships that produce cutting-edge research, development, and capabilities to operate with freedom, safe and security in the cyber world.”
Society relies more than ever on the cyber sphere to function, providing all the more incentive for the bad guys to use this medium to wreak havoc. The time to start a responsible dialogue on cyber security is now.
“Five Things About Homeland Security That Nobody Is Discussing” is a series of posts discussing aspects of protecting the homeland. For a comprehensive look at the big picture in homeland security, enroll today in The Heritage Foundation’s Homeland Security University. Click here for details.
Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Obama is too busy talking on TV to worry about such silliness as homeland security. Same as Afghanistan, he just too busy giving speeches. Our soldiers will just have to wait and hold on. Someday Obama will get around to deciding whether to send in some reinforcements.
The only cyber attacks I'm concerned about is the government grabbing this power to track anyone they want. For what reasons are they pushing this? NOT EXCUSES, REASONS! We'll take care of our personal computers as responsible human life, and you take care of the responsibilities of government! Quit wasting money and leave our freedoms and EVERYONE'S personal responsibilities and accountabilities ALONE.
I agree with you whole heartedly Bobbie Jay.
We are at a point in American history where there seems to be no depth to level of corruption in our government. when we can't trust our government with the duties they have already. Why should we give them total control of free speech through the internet for a little security? Why should we give them control over our own health for that matter? America is under siege. At what point do we stop being polite and win this war over our freedom?
These might be issues; it is however always sage to be acquainted with the Objective Facts before making valuable judgment.Lot of questions need serious answers. What? Why now? for which justifications? In a balenced arguments does-it worth what will be lost etc,.
God help us. I worked for the gov for 32 years and watched as billions went down the drain on cyber security. What a ******** that was and I'm sure it isn't any better since I've only been retired for a year and a half.
I'd like to start trading security for more freedom. Too long have we been making trades the other way (such as this CyberSecurity BS).
Please defibe cyber security to me~
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