Recap of White House Cybersecurity Efforts

Recap of White House Cybersecurity Efforts

  • By Ginger Hill
  • Jan 14, 2015

Twitter has been abuzz with comments to and from President Obama relating to cybersecurity and how to better digitally protect America against the growing number of cyber-related threats. Here are the ways in which Obama proposes we, America, fight against cyber threats:

  1. Enable cybersecurity information sharing: Encourage the private sector to share cyber threat information with the Department of Homeland Security’s National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) who will in turn share the information as close to real-time as possible to relevant federal agencies.

    In addition, this legislation encourages forming private-sector led Information Sharing and Analysis Organizations to help keep American’s personal data safe by requiring compliance with privacy restrictions.

    This is to complement existing relationships between the government and private sector.

  2. Modernize law enforcement authorities: Allow for the prosecution of the sale of botnets, make the overseas sale of stolen U.S. financial data a criminal offense, allow federal law enforcement to deter the sale of spyware for use of stalking or ID theft, give authority to courts shut down botnets engaged in criminal activity.

  3. National data breach reporting: Simplify and standardize the reporting process for each state that requires consumers to be notified by businesses that suffer intrusions to consumers’ personal information by making this requirement a federal statute.

“Companies that have lost sensitive customer information in a data breach should be legally required to inform their customers,” said Stina Ehrensvard, CEO and founder, Yubico. “This is an important step for continued trust for the Internet, and for the companies that have been affected, as this information will be out on the Internet sooner or later anyway.”

Reporting does seem to help build trust, establishing a “we’re-in-this-together” mentality, but what about stolen data and online identities?  Ehrensvard suggests that the U.S. government use the FIDO U2F open standard.

“Security is never stronger than its weakest link, and in many IT-systems it is the username/password login,” said Ehrensvard. “To protect Internet users and data, the U.S. government should follow the leading Internet services and thought leaders, and more actively drive implementation of simple and strong two-factor authentication. The FIDO U2F open standard was designed to address this need, and is proven today with global users.”

About the Author

Ginger Hill is Group Social Media Manager.

Featured

  • The Evolution of IP Camera Intelligence

    As the 30th anniversary of the IP camera approaches in 2026, it is worth reflecting on how far we have come. The first network camera, launched in 1996, delivered one frame every 17 seconds—not impressive by today’s standards, but groundbreaking at the time. It did something that no analog system could: transmit video over a standard IP network. Read Now

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.