FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cyber Leaders Call on Philanthropy to Help
Arlington, VA – In an open letter to private philanthropy, the Internet Security Alliance (ISA) and over 30 professionals from cybersecurity organizations and philanthropic foundations stress the need for more philanthropic giving in cybersecurity.
The letter and signers can be seen at cyberphilanthropy.org starting April 20, 2021.
The latest data from the Peace and Security Funding Index shows that cyber grants made up less than one percent of the $3.7 billion that foundations devoted to peace and security issues since 2012 (less than .007 percent of total foundation giving). However, cyber threats have topped the U.S. intelligence community’s annual assessment of global threats for seven years running, and $4.2 billion in financial losses was reported to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) in 2020.
The need for private philanthropy in cybersecurity is growing. Governments and private corporations spend billions of dollars every year on cybersecurity, but they only have the capacity to focus on immediate threats and toughening their own networks. Private philanthropy can take a longer view, focusing resources on thinking through the underlying laws, norms, and policies that should govern cybersecurity between people, within individual countries, and among nations.
ISA has long campaigned for increased funding for cybersecurity in both government and industry, but this is a new and very welcome addition to the debate. Philanthropic organizations certainly have a role to play in protecting us all from constant cyber threats. For example, there are literally tens of thousands – some say millions – of exciting, high-paying cybersecurity jobs available, and we have an obvious problem with gender and racial inequality. Grant programs to develop and, where they exist, vastly expand, cybersecurity programs in Title One schools and Historic Black Colleges is an obvious, pressing need that is not being met. Similarly, expanding cyber education programs specifically targeting women is another obvious need in the field. There is so much that needs to be done beyond traditional cyber defense and corporate security. Philanthropic organizations need to step up and do their part,” said ISA President Larry Clinton
Show your support for increased philanthropic giving in cybersecurity by using the hashtags #CyberPhilanthropy #ExpandCyberFunding!
About the Internet Security Alliance
About ISA: The Internet Security Alliance (ISA) is a trade association with members from virtually every critical industry sector. ISA’s mission is to integrate advanced technology with economics and public policy to create a sustainable system of cybersecurity. ISA pursues three goals: thought leadership, policy advocacy and promoting sound security practices. ISA’s “Cybersecurity Social Contract” has been embraced as the model for government policy by both Republicans and Democrats. ISA also developed the Cyber Risk Handbook with the National Association of Corporate Directors. For more information about ISA, please visit www.isalliance.org or 703-907-7090.
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