Securing the Vast Internet Ecosystem: Incentivizing Non-Critical Infrastructure Systems
Monday, June 20, 2011
Overview | Audio
This briefing featured a presentation by Ari Schwartz [bio] of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on how the vast private Internet ecosystem can be made more cyber secure using government incentives and leadership. Mr. Schwartz discussed a new government "green paper" called "Cybersecurity, Innovation and the Internet Economy" released on Wednesday, June 8. The green paper creates a new framework for how the U.S. will approach internet security issues for companies outside the orbit of critical infrastructure or key resources. Those companies will become part of a new "Internet and Information Innovation Sector" (I3S) and the green paper focuses on public policies and private sector standards and practices that can make the I3S more secure. Mr. Schwartz's green paper presentation was followed by a discussion of this cyber security approach featuring security experts:
- Liesyl Franz, Vice President, Cyber Security and Global Public Policy, TechAmerica [bio]
- Franck Journoud, Director of Cybersecurity Policy, Business Software Alliance [bio]
Background: In early June, the White House released its Cybersecurity Legislative Proposal that addresses the security of sectors such as government networks and critical infrastructure. Yet, a vast swath of the Internet ecosystem, while not technically "critical infrastructure," must be secured due to the connectedness of the Internet. And, these systems, from home computers to entertainment services, remain outside the orbit of what most would consider critical and federal systems. With almost all of those Internet elements in private sector hands - and in many cases in Internet users' homes - the federal government and some Congressional leaders are urging an "incentives-based" approach to securing the non-critical and non-federal Internet ecosystem.
This widely attended educational briefing is hosted by the Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory Committee (ICAC), part of a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Congressional staff and members of the press welcome. The ICAC is a private sector organization comprised of public interest groups, trade associations, non-profits, and corporations. More information on th