Cybersecurity Review is Putting Emphasis on Privacy

The National Security Council’s review of federal cybersecurity programs is taking privacy seriously, as some insiders say it is going to great lengths to consider privacy and civil liberty issues.

In an article on the CNET website, Stephanie Condon says the House Cybersecurity Caucus met with Melissa Hathaway last week. Hathaway is the acting senior director for cyberspace for the National Security and Homeland Security Councils, who is conducting the 60-day cybersecurity review for the Obama administration.

And Rep. James Langevin, co-chair of the House Cybersecurity Caucus, told Condon that Hathaway has been meeting with privacy and civil liberties groups to receive their input on how to reform cybersecurity.

That makes privacy “a forethought rather than an afterthought,” he told Condon. “Because these are such powerful tools (to grant federal authorities to regulate cyberspace), we’re going to have to have the buy-in of the public and have their support.”

Langevin, however, said it is still unclear whether Hathaway will recommend that a new office for cybersecurity should be created within the Executive Office of the President.

To read the full article, click here: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10205415-38.html