To Build a More Capable Cyber Policy Field, Teach Policy to Technologists

Feb 22

Technologists love to criticise policymakers for their ignorance of of how computer security actually works. Instead of criticising from the sidelines, maybe they should get involved.

The Hewlett Foundation recently put out a paper on what they have learned since the start of their cybersecurity initiative four years ago. It identifies many challenges in the field but one persistent problem is the gap between the technical world and the policy world. Many thousands of words have been written trying to explain cybersecurity to policymakers. Yet, comparatively little tries to explain the policy world to technologists. So, here I want to provide a few tips:

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Public policy is a field, one that is a lot older and better developed than cybersecurity. Study it. If you want to influence government, learn about how it works and how to develop innovative public policy programs. Go get a degree in public policy. Come spend a year with the Council on Foreign Relations doing an International Affairs Fellowship. Take a job on Capitol Hill or in government. You will likely find you have a lot to contribute. You will also likely come to the conclusion that turning the ship of state is a lot harder than you imagined and past failures are not due to a lack of technical knowledge. You probably will have minimal impact if all you do is pop in to the occasional policy discussion, dazzle with your technical brilliance, drop the mike, and walk away.

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