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Poll: Small expectations for National Cybersecurity Coordinator

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Only minor policy changes will likely result from the newly created position of National Cybersecurity Coordinator, said more than half the respondents in a poll of 201 federal cybersecurity decision makers and influencers.

The poll, conducted by Clarus Research Group and commissioned by Lumension, an end-point security firm, also found that a plurality of respondents spent less than 10 percent of their time over the past year working on tasks related to the Comprehensive National Cyber Security Initiative.

However, 74 percent of respondents say the possibility is "high" for a cyberattack by a foreign nation in the next year. A third said they've already experienced one within the past year--indeed, foreign cyberattacks have been known to happen for many years now.

A small majority--53 percent of respondents--rate the government's ability to handle cyberattacks as "good" or excellent." However, 42 percent rate it as "only fair" or "poor."

When asked to rate federal initiatives for positive impact to IT security, respondents put the Federal Information Security Management Act at the top; out of a five point scale, it received an effectiveness rating of 3.39. OMB's Trusted Internet Connection initiative also earned a 3.39. In last place, with a 3.03, is US-CERT's Einstein program.

For more:
- check out Lumension's page dedicated to the poll findings

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