At the RSA Conference in San Francisco, Melissa Hathaway, the National Security and Homeland Security Councils’ senior director for cyberspace, reviewed the president’s policy on cybersecurity.
Melissa Hathaway’s keynote, which titled: “The Obama Administration’s Cyberspace Policy Review” could not offer much details on the goverment strategy however she highlighted all of the meetings, research and recommendations that have informed the administration’s 60-day cyberspace policy review.
Excerpts from Hathaway’s speech:
Previous attempts to deal with cyber security in isolation have failed, in no small part, because they were perceived to be in conflict with the broader societal goals of progress and innovation, civil liberties and privacy rights. However, cyber security only succeeds in the context of broader economic progress. At times, it was a destination in itself, rather than a compass that guides us toward our objective. If treated in a broader context, cyber security will enable higher and far reaching national goals, have better acceptance, and as a result, a greater chance for success. Our goals depend on trust, and trust cannot be achieved if people believe that they are vulnerable to fraud and theft or if they cannot depend upon the resources (infrastructure services, i.e., water, power, telephone service) being available when needed most. At the same time, security has no meaning if the application that serves society no longer is practical or usable. Stated differently, progress and security must not viewed in a zero-sum fashion.
Wow, rarely before have I seen so many words written with so little. Thank god she stepped down.