Last year President Obama addressed the importance of protecting governmental & critical private computer networks. A year later and there is little evidence that we have made any strides in it's security. There is little opposition with the belief that federal computer systems are at risk from hackers and need to be protected. The problem seems to be that there is a disagreement on what to do to increase security, and how much security is within the governments jurisdiction.
Sure, security of government agencies such as the Pentagon, CIA/FBI, and the Social Security Administration are the government's responsibility . But the clear-cut line blurs when you begin addressing the security of privately held utility companies such as gas, water, electric & telecommunications. All of which need a certain level of security but who's responsibility is it really? Certainly it would be disastrous if a bug got onto the national power grid & crashed the entire system. I can see the panic & mayhem already, but can the government govern these companies? I'm sure the answer will not come quickly or easily, only time will tell what will come of the cyberspace policy review that is celebrating it's first birthday.
For a more in-depth look at this subject please read The Washington Post Article By Ellen Nakashima.
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