On Feb. 8th, 2012, Somini Sengupta reported for the New York Times on cybersecurity legislation.  In doing so, Sengupta explained that privacy issues and the "ghosts" of SOPA/PIPA hang over cybersecurity legislation, haunting the prospects of quick passage.  The article explains that members of Congress are actually scared of angering the Internet lobby a la internet censorship day (in protest of SOPA/PIPA).  In fact, the NYT times article quoted one Congressional aide who said that some Congressional members "were kind of scared by [the organized resistance to SOPA/PIPA] and don't want to go down any road where they are viewed as regulating the internet." 

Most of the recent cybersecurity proposals don't actually regulate the internet, and I haven't read about any organized resistance to such proposals.  Nevertheless, it looks like Congress is playing it safe.   Notably, CISPA (a House cybersecurity proposal) only got out of committee because some of its provisions were amended to protect civil liberites.

Along the same lines, the article explored the give and take between the private sector and Congress on cybersecurity.  The private sector has generally been opposed to proposed strict cybersecurity regulations.  The NYT article quoted a representative from a trade group representing contractors like Lockheed: "It's important for our community to remain flexible . . . the government should lead by example when it comes to securing its network."  

On the other hand, the article also quoted James Lewis (CSIS): "the ideology . . . that government 'is the problem,' puts us at a disadvantage, because its certainly not true for defense.  A weak bill guaranteees a hit."  DNI Clapper agreed, saying that companies can't keep up with hackers by relying on market incentives.

You can find the New York Times source article here.

On Feb. 8th, 2012, Somini Sengupta reported for the New York Times on cybersecurity legislation.  In doing so, Sengupta explained that privacy issues and the "ghosts" of SOPA/PIPA hang over cybersecurity legislation, haunting the prospects of quick passage.  The article explains that members of Congress are actually scared of angering the Internet lobby a la internet censorship day (in protest of SOPA/PIPA).  In fact, the NYT times article quoted one Congressional aide who said that some Congressional members "were kind of scared by [the organized resistance to SOPA/PIPA] and don't want to go down any road where they are viewed as regulating the internet." 

Most of the recent cybersecurity proposals don't actually regulate the internet, and I haven't read about any organized resistance to such proposals.  Nevertheless, it looks like Congress is playing it safe.   Notably, CISPA (a House cybersecurity proposal) only got out of committee because some of its provisions were amended to protect civil liberites.

Along the same lines, the article explored the give and take between the private sector and Congress on cybersecurity.  The private sector has generally been opposed to proposed strict cybersecurity regulations.  The NYT article quoted a representative from a trade group representing contractors like Lockheed: "It's important for our community to remain flexible . . . the government should lead by example when it comes to securing its network."  

On the other hand, the article also quoted James Lewis (CSIS): "the ideology . . . that government 'is the problem,' puts us at a disadvantage, because its certainly not true for defense.  A weak bill guaranteees a hit."  DNI Clapper agreed, saying that companies can't keep up with hackers by relying on market incentives.

You can find the New York Times source article here.