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Government Surveillance

Cybersecurity: Innovative Solutions to Challenging Problems

This testimony outlines existing threats to United States cybersecurity and discusses how to chart a path forward that ensures protection for America’s cherished rights of privacy and free expression, continues to encourage innovation, and provides for meaningful improvements in security.  It emphasizes that private network operators, not the government, should monitor and secure private sector systems.  It also discusses how to enhance information sharing without eroding privacy.  The testimony then examines how the Administration’s cybersecurity proposals fit this framework and note areas where they do not.  This testimony also address the issue of Presidential authority to shut down the Internet, an idea that the Administration wisely left out of its proposals.

For an in-depth analysis of the White House Cybersecurity proposal, please take a look at our special four-part series by following the links below.

Part I: Emergency Powers, Regulation, and the ‘Call Switch’

Part II: Information Sharing Between the Private Sector and the Government
Part III: Revising the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act
Part IV: Data Breach Notification: A Good Start