Securing Cyberspace for the 44th Presidency

Abstract : The Center for Strategic and International studies began this project in August 2007, after the United States suffered a wave of damaging attacks in cyberspace Guided by our congressional cochairs, we assembled a group of individuals with experience in both government and cybersecurity The aim of the group was to identify recommendations that the next administration can implement quickly to make a noticeable improvement in the nation's cybersecurity as well as formulate longer-term recommendations that are critical to the nation's future cyber objectives The Commission's three major finding are: (1) cybersecurity is now a major national security problem for the United States, (2) decisions and actions must respect privacy and civil liberties, and (3) only a comprehensive national security strategy that embraces both the domestic and international aspects of cybersecurity will make us more secure. We were encouraged in our work by senior officials in the Department of Defense, the intelligence community, and other agencies who told us that cybersecurity was one of the greatest security challenges the United States faces in a new and more competitive international environment. They encouraged us to think strategically and to be innovative in proposing how the United States organizes itself: Both our findings and their advice are reflected in our recommendations.