Cybersecurity - It is a joint effort

Cybersecurity is a joint effort.  The Federal Government cannot solve the problems without help from the Private Sector.  The Private Sector does not have the full threat picture to go it alone.

There are a plethora of forums where the Federal Government and the Private Sector come together to share ideas and information to help fight the good fight.  But, is it enough?  Are these forums effective?  What is your opinion?

One announcement that hit the media this week was that a research agreement was signed between financial services companies, insurance companies, NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology), and the Department of Homeland Security's Directorate called S&T (Science and Technology).

The MOU (memo of understanding), which is a signed agreement, says they will collaborate on research.

Federal News Radio quoted Aneesh Chopra, the Federal Chief Technology Officer as saying, "Financial services-banking and credit card transactions, insurance, trading and funds management, and many other business and consumer financial activities-are increasingly provided online," ... emphasizing the importance of collaboration.

White House Cybersecurity Coordinator and Special Assistant to the President, Howard A. Schmidt, posted on his blog, "As a result, threats to these services are threats to individuals, companies and the nation. Ensuring these online services are reliable, accurate, safe and secure against threats is a shared responsibility of the public and private sectors alike. Many of the innovations emerging from the partnership will extend beyond financial services to online health services, the Smart Grid, and the nation's water, transportation, and other critical infrastructures."

Sources:
Press Release by NIST:  "Financial Services Sector Signs Cybersecurity Research Agreement with NIST, DHS",  Contact:  Evelyn Brown, December 8, 2010.


"NIST, DHS to partner with financial industry on cybersecurity", Jason Miller - Executive Editor, Federal News Radio, December 7, 2010.

Blog Post, Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President, Howard A. Schmidt, December 6, 2010.