Crossroads Blog | Institute National Security and Counterterrorism

Current Affairs, Legislation

Cybersecurity Requires Patches, Not A Vast Bill: Bloomberg Businessweek

On Nov. 28th, 2011, Susan Crawford wrote a very persuasive opinion article for Bloomberg Businessweek.  In the article, Crawford argued that the best way to address US cybersecurity concerns is through agile, reactive "patches" as opposed to restrictive, rigid cybersecurity legislation.  Unfortunately, Crawford believes that the Obama administration's omnibus cybersecurity bill is top-heavy, and would ultimately create a bureaucratic nightmare.  Specifically, measures within the Obama administration's bill would give DHS "centralized authority to designate Covered Critical Infrastructure", would extend a program that allows the NSA to snoop on American internet activities, and would have communications companies submit their cybersecurity plans to DHS auditors.  Crawford argues that these initiatives raise questions about personal liberties and represent the "opposite of the kind of agile, innovative response needed to counter online threats."

Crawford goes on to argue for the House Republican cybersecurity plan. 

The rest of the article can be found here, and is definitely worth a read.

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