Page 14 - Cyber Warnings

combat this growing problem that can be inclusive of individuals with a broad spectrum of
capabilities and skill sets.

It is incumbent on this new administration to take the action they promised, by prioritizing
investment in education and innovation, and combatting cybercrime against our public and
private infrastructure. We have the opportunity to not only effectively fight a faceless enemy, but
grow our economy in a meaningful and lasting way.

The time for debate and reflection is over. We have the data, we have the resources, and we
have the will to protect our most critical assets and our people.

Rick Hanson, executive vice president at Skyport Systems, said via email that “It’s not enough
for a president to ask the DoD and JCS to develop a comprehensive cyber-plan, that has
nothing new. We as a country need a clear focus from the top of the food chain down.

A cabinet position that focuses on cyber as well as a strong focus and knowledge of the
implications by the president himself. We can no longer rely on other agencies to build a plan."

Hanson added, "A plan must be built and executed by those who have an intimate knowledge of
cyber-infrastructure and the threat landscape that not only exists but is possible. The sooner we
secure our infrastructure from the core, the more efficient we will be in maintaining the security
of our cyber-infrastructure.

Regulations and guidelines must exist that define what our core infrastructure looks like from the
bare metal. Security at the hardware level is essential for a truly secure infrastructure."

In my opinion, here are the Top Five Goals for the President-elect:

• Review the CIPP (critical infrastructure protection plan) to understand key vulnerabilities
with recommendations of initial steps to prioritize areas of concern.
• Develop a plan for education with expansion of investment in IT/security programs as
trade and 4-year programs. Increase funding for Centers of Academic Excellence to
expand scholarship and research programs.
• Identify research developed at the Centers of Academic Excellence that can be
commercialized for expanded protection programs for public and private companies.
Offer funding to entrepreneurs developing commercial products.
• Develop curricula for K-12 to train up the next generation of cyber workers.
• Develop a unified cyber policy that reduces complexity of reporting and regulatory rules
that incent investment in cyber programs and innovation.

Only time will tell if the President-elect will put the right resources in place to protect our Nation’s
cyber welfare.

14 Cyber Warnings E-Magazine January 2017 Edition
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