Changing the Game: A Different Approach to Cybersecurity
On Friday, November 3, 2017, the Strauss Center welcomed J. Michael Daniel, President of the Cyber Threat Alliance and former Special Assistant to the President and White House Cybersecurity Coordinator, to speak at the University of Texas on cybersecurity policy. More specifically, Mr. Daniel’s lecture discussed rethinking how we perceive the cyber threat and mapping more effective strategies to manage and mitigate the risks posed by cyber. Today, cyberspace is unique among domains in that it continues to grow larger by the day, and as it grows, the risks associated with cyberspace evolve and become more numerous. A video of the event is available here.
Despite a perception that cybersecurity is a technical issue with a technical solution, the multi-dimensional nature of the threat requires adapting a risk management mentality in cybersecurity policy in the public and private sector. Cyber threats are anticipated to grow broader, more disruptive, and more dangerous with greater risk of collateral damage in cyberattacks.
Mr. Daniel also discussed methods of leveraging the big business of cyberattacks by imposing costs on cyber adversaries designed to force them to re-engineer their business model. He also advocated increasing transparency through greater cyber threat information sharing, and building resiliency into programming to allow systems to operate in degraded environments.
Mr. Daniel concluded by emphasizing that good cybersecurity policy and good privacy policies could be reinforcing. Given the growing number of individuals who utilize multiple personal and professional devices connected to the internet on a daily basis, cybersecurity will increasingly require a holistic approach to the technical, economic, and human psychology elements involved in cyber.
Mr. Daniel works on improving the nation’s cybersecurity through the CTA. He brings over 21 years of experience in the federal government to this effort, including four and a half as the nation’s cybersecurity coordinator. In this position, Mr. Daniel led the development of national and international cybersecurity strategy and policy for the United States and oversaw implementation of those policies; in this capacity, he ensured that the Federal Government was effectively partnering with the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, other branches and levels of government, and other nations. Prior to his appointment, Mr. Daniel spent 17 years at the Office of Management and Budget, where he played a key role in shaping intelligence budgets and resolving major policy issues including cybersecurity. Mr. Daniel received a B.A. in public policy from Princeton and an M.A. in public policy from Harvard.