Report: U.S. needs to overhaul cybersecurity

December 5, 2009 — 7:47pm ET | By Judi Hasson

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A new report by the Internet Security Alliance says the federal government needs to collaborate with the business world to overhaul and fortify cybersecurity. In the report released last week, the alliance--which represents corporate security interests--said the government should be offering businesses new incentives to fix security problems.

Whether that will ever happen remains unclear, although it is certain that the need for a better partnership between the public and private sector has long been a subject of intensive debate. The alliance also called for permanent international cybersecurity collaboration centers, new security standards for VoIP communications and programs to educate corporate leaders about the benefits of enhanced cybersecurity efforts.

The government has been trying very hard to deal with cybersecurity lapses in the federal government, especially in the wake of repeated reports that information security is becoming a bigger issue every day. But it's clear it must also partner with the private sector to provide a unified front against an enemy that attacks them both.

The alliance is calling for more educational programs on risk management for C-level executives. ISA has already started an educational effort for chief financial officers and other executives.

"When it comes to cybersecurity, all the of the economic incentives favor the attackers," said ISA's president Larry Clinton. "Attacks are relatively easy, cheap, and the gains from them can be enormous. On the other hand, defense can be costly."

The ISA report said the federal government should tie federal grants, loans and stimulus money to cybersecurity standards, and it should push for greater security in the technology products it buys.

For more on this vexing challenge:
- check out this New York Times article