Digital

The political public debate over U.S. cybersecurity policy over the last few years has produced chilling sound bites like "electronic Pearl Harbor," "digital Armageddon," and even "cyber 9/11."  And despite the clarion calls for "action" that inevitably flow from these phrases, such heated rhetoric does not lend itself to nuanced and focused policymaking.  Perhaps that's why I found my attention riveted on the keynote address given by Scott Charney, vice president, Microsoft Trustworthy Computing at the Business Software Alliance cybersecurity conference on April 30th.

In his speech, Charney proceeded to peel back the layers on the disconnect among the various stakeholders within the cybersecurity community, what they need, and how to get it, in the most level-headed analysis of the cybersecurity landscape that I've heard in a long time.  

Instead the attacks are launched by computer hackers. Digital spy rings. Information thieves. Cyberarmies of kids, criminals, terrorists - some backed by nation states.

In the Us there Is a growing fear that they pose a massive threat to national security, and a conviction that the world's military superpower must prepare for the fight ahead. 

At stake: Crucial national infrastructure, high value commercial secrets, tens of billions of dollars in defence contracts, as well as values like privacy and freedom of expression.