The Internet Security Alliance hosted an invitation-only event at the White House on economic issues related to cyber security featuring DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano. The session allowed guests to engage with the DHS secretary in a robust question and answer session in a more intimate setting.
The DHS Deputy Under Secretary for Cybersecurity for the National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD), also spoke and held an engaging question and answer session with the select group of attendees.
Among the topics discussed during the half-day session were: the status of cyber legislation; the economics of cybersecurity, including the market incentives that currently exist to deploy less secure systems and the need for greater positive incentives to promote security; the potential effects of increased government regulation in this space; the need for greater R&D; the need for greater public awareness, especially in the small business community; and what some larger organizations are doing to promote cyber security not only within their own organizations, but in schools, universities, and smaller businesses.
This event is one in a series of efforts that ISA is leading to increase awareness of the importance of the economic considerations of cyber security from the private sector point of view, and the need to enhance this appreciation at the most senior levels of government in order to create a sustainable system of cyber security.