From: New York Times/Room for Debate
Michael J. Assante is president and chief executive officer of the National Board of Information Security Examiners. He was formerly vice president and chief security officer at the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, overseeing the implementation of cyber security standards across the electric power industry.
Cyber risk has traditionally been an invisible threat: unseen, difficult to detect, and generally addressed by society as a necessary evil that comes along with the vast improvements made possible by technology and global networks. Rarely do these threats occur in such a way to consider government, let alone military, intervention necessary or appropriate. With that said, the very real lesson of past asymmetric threats is that what you can’t readily see can hurt you.
Cyber threats have blurred the line between national security, competitiveness, public safety, and private interest.
The Pentagon has an important role in defense of our nation in all domains, so why should cyber be different? Direct threats to our country exist and a growing number of actors are pursuing capabilities to strike via cyber means. The emerging presence of our military forces in cyberspace should not supplant collective efforts to defend our systems. Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility that is inclusive of many things ranging from daily computer security hygiene to effectively responding to a potentially high-consequence attack. We are already wrestling with the need for an appropriate domestic policy and need greater clarity on emergency powers and properly consider the role of regulation.
It is also important that we not lose sight of the mounting toll exacted by existing cyber attacks. The losses of information and monetary value are very real and ultimately have physical, “real-world” impacts. One can argue that we are experiencing the pain that comes from 1,000 cuts, as more companies and government agencies suffer intrusions and data theft.
We need to acknowledge that our Defense Department will carry out this important mission and work together to understand how to share responsibility while preserving liberties.
The diverse nature of cyber threats has already blurred the line between national security, competitiveness, public safety, and private interest. We should look forward to the contribution that our military will bring to this fight, but don’t consider it an order to stand relieved.
Leave a Reply