Software Industry Welcomes Obama Cyber Security Strategy

by Mike Godfrey, for LawAndTax-News.com, Washington

03 June 2009

The Obama Administration deserves credit for elevating the debate over national cyber security policy and bringing fresh thinking to bear, the Business Software Alliance (BSA) has announced.

The Administration’s new cyber security strategy is comprehensive in scope and raises many issues that will require further deliberation and careful implementation, the association said.

BSA President and CEO Robert Holleyman attended the White House's announcement of the new strategy, and the BSA was consulted on the plan as it was developed.

“The software and computer hardware industries strongly endorse the President’s view that cyber security must be treated as a top national priority,” Holleyman commented, adding:

“The White House strategy is largely consistent with the BSA’s recommendations, especially the emphasis on White House leadership and international partnerships between government and industry. "

“As this strategy is implemented, it must reflect three fundamental principles: technological innovation without constraints; economic growth; and international partnerships. Without all three, America’s cyber security will suffer.”

The plan’s emphasis on consumer privacy, workforce training, and research and development are also helpful, he said.

“The BSA particularly looks forward to assisting the Administration on the international front, leveraging our offices and relationships with business and government leaders around the world,” Holleyman stated further.

In March, the BSA co-hosted a meeting of information technology industry executives with White House cyber space adviser Melissa Hathaway and submitted detailed recommendations on the strategy. The BSA suggested:

  • Creating a more robust, two-way, government-industry partnership with more transparency and clearer operating procedures;
  • Increasing information sharing with the private sector;
  • Avoiding prescriptive government technology mandates and preserving the government’s ability to acquire commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology to hold down costs and ensure innovation; and
  • Launching a comprehensive national cyber security research and development (R&D) program.

“The BSA’s publicly traded member companies invested a combined USD43bn on research and development in 2008, and security is at the heart of all we do,” Mr Holleyman continued.

“No one invests more or leads more on cyber security issues than we do, and no one is more committed to ensuring confidence in the online world."

“We appreciate that the White House solicited our input, and we look forward to a continuing dialogue. Everyone involved needs to roll up their sleeves and work together to ensure that our efforts truly tighten security by maintaining robust innovation policies, allowing economic growth to go forward, and taking an international, collaborative approach,” he concluded.

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