Reitinger: Cybersecurity requires true public-private partnership

There are now 10 trillion online transactions a year, according to the Commerce Department--a number that will only keep rising.

In order to ensure information security, a collaborative strategy from the public and private sector is necessary, said government and industry leaders at a cybersecurity symposium in Washington D.C. on July 27.

"We cannot have a top-down government approach, but nor can we have this completely solved in free markets where is works itself out and in five years we all sing kumbaya," said Philip Reitinger, deputy undersecretary of national protection and programs directorate at the Homeland Security Department.  

While specific policies are still baking, Reitinger stressed the need for immediate action rather than waiting for official guidance. "Heaven help us from a new strategy. We need to evolve and implement day to day, year to year," he said.

For more:
- visit the White House cybersecurity website
- read the draft National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace
- see the Cyberspace Policy Review (.pdf)

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