Hathaway Confirms What We Knew

In her first public speaking engagement since being named acting senior director for cyberspace by President Obama, Melissa Hathaway generally confirmed what was previously reported regarding the 60-day review of federal cybersecurity policies and initiatives: The White House should coordinate cybersecurity efforts; private sector needs to play a bigger role in securing cyberspace; and responsibility for the protection of federal computer networks and systems should be divvied among a number of agencies.

Hathaway provided what she called the "movie trailer" for results of the review during a keynote at the RSA security conference in San Francisco this afternoon. More detailed discussion about results will happen after the president and his administration have had an opportunity to carefully review the report, she said.

"When the report is made public you will see that there is a lot of work for us to do together and an ambitious action plan to accomplish our goals," Hathaway said in prepared remarks that were provided to members of the media immediately prior to the keynote. "Cyberspace won't be secured overnight and on the basis of one good plan. As they say, this is a marathon not a sprint. But with this review, we have taken the first steps to make real and lasting progress."

Among the broad statements Hathaway made during the keynote:

• It is government's responsibility to address strategic vulnerabilities in cyberspace and to ensure the United States and the world realize the full potential of information technology.

• No single agency has a broad enough perspective to meet the array of challenges.

• The White House must lead initiatives of federal, state, local and tribal governments.

• The national dialogue on cybersecurity must advance in such a way that the American people can appreciate the need for action.

• The United States must work with countries worldwide to secure the digital infrastructure and encourage global prosperity and innovation.

• The public and private sectors have shared responsibility for ensuring a secure, reliable infrastructure through ongoing partnership.

• Promote collective research and development that focuses on game-changing technologies that enhance the security, reliability, resilience and trustworthiness of the nation's digital infrastructure.

"Protecting cyberspace requires strong vision and leadership and will require changes in policy, technology, education, and perhaps law," Hathaway said. "We need to demonstrate abroad and here at home that the United States takes cyberspace issues, policies, and activities seriously. Achieving this vision requires leadership and commitment from the highest levels of government, industry and civil society."

She then closed with a bit of humor: "This speech will now self-destruct, but don't worry . . . this is the Internet-age, there are already hundreds of copies which you can download online."