Crossroads Blog | Institute National Security and Counterterrorism

Privacy, regulation

US FCC Urges Internet Companies To Safeguard Web: Reuters

On Feb. 22nd, 2012, Reuters reported on remarks made by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.  You can find those remarks here.  In his remarks, the Chairman said that ISPs have to focus on "three significant cyber threats – botnets, domain name fraud, and IP hijacking."  In doing so, ISPs (like AT&T, Verizon, Comcast, etc.) should do more to prevent fraud, data theft, and cyberattacks.  Moreover, ISPs should contact customers who have been snagged in a botnet and help them to clean out the viruses.

The Chairman went on to argue that tackling internet security is so important because the economic potential of the internet is so great.  Indeed, the Chairman cited online innovation, job creation,  and over $8 trillion exchanged online as all reasons ISPs must protect the internet.  Furthermore, if we don't address security problems, "consumers [might] lose trust in the Internet, [which will] suppress broadband adoption and online commerce and communication . . ."

In securing the internet, the Chairman cautioned against infringing on the Internet's freedom or changing the Internet's open architecture.  In fact, the Chairman saw privacy and security as complimentary; it's not a zero sum game.

You can find the FCC Chairman's remarks here.

You can find the Reuters source article here.

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