Cybersecurity: A Group Effort

New cybersecurity legislation has the private sector concerned about increased government regulation, but lawmakers are working to assure industry that they are an important part of a team effort, not a target.

The bill, approved by the Senate Commerce Committee in March, includes provisions for auditing company security plans and incentives for adopting good cybersecurity practices. The private sector is worried that the government will be able to control their security protocols. However, lawmakers say that one key to adequately addressing cyber threats is the group mentality.

"The government cannot do this on its own, and neither can the private sector," wrote Sen. John (Jay) Rockefeller, D-W.Va., in a statement. "This has been demonstrated and proven."

"In case there is any remaining confusion, let me be clear: This bill does not create any new emergency powers for the president or anyone else in government. It simply requires all key players to get together ahead of a crisis and prepare," he added.

It stands to reason that the more collaboration there is on security, the stronger our threat protection will be. So will new regulations encourage the private sector and government to work together?