Security Newswire

White Paper Highlights Benefits of Public-Private Partnerships for Cybersecurity

For the first time, industry groups and civil liberties interests have come together to advocate a comprehensive, common approach to cybersecurity. That approach is reflected in the release of a cybersecurity white paper that rejects government mandates and advocates for a stronger partnership between industry and government.

The 20-page white paper is a joint release from CDT, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Software Alliance, TechAmerica, and the Internet Security Alliance.

"The paper rejects heavy-handed government mandates in favor of a strengthened partnership between industry and government," said CDT Senior Counsel Gregory T. Nojeim. "Cybersecurity needs not—and should not—trump privacy and other civil liberties, nor should it stifle innovation."

Privacy is one of the most important values to be preserved in the cybersecurity reform effort, the paper says, and notes that government should not monitor private networks as a part of its cybersecurity program.

"The recommendations in this report would result in better security, enhance the effectiveness of the public-private partnership and provide greater protection for civil liberties without a more assertive government role," said CDT President Leslie Harris.

The white paper makes a number of recommendations, including:

Government and industry should work together to strengthen international standards for cybersecurity, and the government should provide incentives for security levels that go beyond what the market delivers on its own.
Information sharing for cybersecurity purposes should be transparent and should comply with fair information practice principles.
A national cybersecurity R&D plan aimed at protecting the most critical and strategic national interests.