Comments on: All eyes on consultant advising Obama on cybersecurity engagement http://lastwatchdog.com/consultant-advising-obama-on-cybersecurity/ on Internet security by Byron Acohido Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:38:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 By: merko http://lastwatchdog.com/consultant-advising-obama-on-cybersecurity/#comment-634 merko Fri, 07 Aug 2009 20:09:29 +0000 http://lastwatchdog.com/?p=467#comment-634 +1 +1

]]> By: Bob Pollock,CEO Continuum Partners http://lastwatchdog.com/consultant-advising-obama-on-cybersecurity/#comment-203 Bob Pollock,CEO Continuum Partners Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:37:24 +0000 http://lastwatchdog.com/?p=467#comment-203 After well over 500 phone calls letters, emails to the Bush Bunker, DOD, Etc. Even a Cease & Desist letter from Senator Lieberman's Chair of the DHC . This was at the bequest of his Chief of Staff & Counsel.That email was blown up and hangs over my desk. Lastly my own Senator Schumer of the TSA Committee. Now for the good news, on February 12, I called the Peoples House asked for General Jones Chief of Staff, told him that our govt might be interested in our system that "ACTUALLY PREVENTS MOST CYBER BREACHES" and that the Canadian Govt Dept of Public Safety (DHS) had been a satisfied client for the past 26 months. He then said even if I have to trip him running to and from meetings, you will hear from us within 48 hours. They were also very respectful & it was a good feeling knowing that this Country has a real leader and A team working at the pace they are. The process was respectful, they didn't need a paper trail, & I would be contacted in 48 Hours. Allowing for Presidents day, they met there commitment when Ms. Hathaway ccalled me.30 minutes later she said that the President Cyber Report had a higher priority but we still commence a review but don't expect an answer soon. Congratulations America, we are finally in good hands. Be pleased to dialog with anyone personally:. continuump@gmail.com After well over 500 phone calls letters, emails to the Bush Bunker, DOD, Etc. Even a Cease & Desist letter from Senator Lieberman’s Chair of the DHC . This was at the bequest of his Chief of Staff & Counsel.That email was blown up and hangs over my desk. Lastly my own Senator Schumer of the TSA Committee.

Now for the good news, on February 12, I called the Peoples House asked for General Jones Chief of Staff, told him that our govt might be interested in our system that “ACTUALLY PREVENTS MOST CYBER BREACHES” and that the Canadian Govt Dept of Public Safety (DHS) had been a satisfied client for the past 26 months. He then said even if I have to trip him running to and from meetings, you will hear from us within 48 hours. They were also very respectful & it was a good feeling knowing that this Country has a real leader and A team working at the pace they are. The process was respectful, they didn’t need a paper trail, & I would be contacted in 48 Hours. Allowing for Presidents day, they met there commitment when Ms. Hathaway ccalled me.30 minutes later she said that the President Cyber Report had a higher priority but we still commence a review but don’t expect an answer soon.
Congratulations America, we are finally in good hands.
Be pleased to dialog with anyone personally:.
continuump@gmail.com

]]> By: Paul Davie http://lastwatchdog.com/consultant-advising-obama-on-cybersecurity/#comment-131 Paul Davie Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:41:01 +0000 http://lastwatchdog.com/?p=467#comment-131 I am posting this as news of another processor breach is emerging. Obama has a unique opportunity to drive through political changes nationally and internationally to raise the security bar here. At a corporate level, he could tighten up disclosure rules – making them faster, with fewer loopholes. At an individual transaction level, he could also bring US credit card handling up to European levels, where cards contain chips which are read for customer present transactions and where the security code on the back is ALWAYS required when not present. The US should be taking a world lead on these issues and he has a golden opportunity to make this happen. I am posting this as news of another processor breach is emerging. Obama has a unique opportunity to drive through political changes nationally and internationally to raise the security bar here. At a corporate level, he could tighten up disclosure rules – making them faster, with fewer loopholes. At an individual transaction level, he could also bring US credit card handling up to European levels, where cards contain chips which are read for customer present transactions and where the security code on the back is ALWAYS required when not present. The US should be taking a world lead on these issues and he has a golden opportunity to make this happen.

]]> By: Somesh Jha http://lastwatchdog.com/consultant-advising-obama-on-cybersecurity/#comment-124 Somesh Jha Fri, 20 Feb 2009 22:09:32 +0000 http://lastwatchdog.com/?p=467#comment-124 I think Melissa Hathaway seems like a good choice. You need a thoughtful person who is not entrenched in their position. Security in depth is the key. One solution doesn't solve everything. If hosts keep getting compromised, we will keep getting bots. If we don't educate the public, social engineering attacks will keep happening. We need somebody who can understand the gamut of solutions, and then pick the right mix of solutions. The problem is hard and daunting. Good luck Melissa! I think Melissa Hathaway seems like a good choice. You need a thoughtful person who is
not entrenched in their position. Security
in depth is the key. One solution doesn’t solve
everything. If hosts keep getting compromised,
we will keep getting bots. If we don’t educate
the public, social engineering attacks will
keep happening. We need somebody who can understand the gamut of solutions, and then pick the right mix of solutions.

The problem is hard and daunting. Good luck
Melissa!

]]> By: Adam Levin http://lastwatchdog.com/consultant-advising-obama-on-cybersecurity/#comment-123 Adam Levin Thu, 19 Feb 2009 21:15:26 +0000 http://lastwatchdog.com/?p=467#comment-123 Protecting the information that is stored and transmitted online by both the government and private enterprises, especially in the worst economy since the Great Depression, is an issue that must be moved from the back to front burner. Since 2005, we have been barraged with reports of database compromises which grow more sophisticated (monster.com) and larger (Heartland Payment Systems – perhaps the largest in history) by the day, and are examples of what does happen when adequate steps aren’t taken to protect data and the Internet. Identity Theft 911, of which I am Co-Founder and Chairman, recently released a report titled “The Perfect Storm” which predicts that data breaches and identity theft will increase dramatically as the economy continues to decline, a stance that has since been supported by a Javelin Strategy and Research report. From my position, I have firsthand knowledge of how compromised data can turn into identity theft cases costing untold amounts in lost time, resources and money. For companies it can range into the tens of millions of dollars; for governments it can result in the loss of state secrets and large payouts (see the VA breach); for individuals it can result in permanent lost savings and damaged credit that could take years to restore. The first step in averting identity theft is protecting information. The Obama administration has, seemingly, made a step in the right direction with Melissa Hathaway. However, there are many more steps that must be taken, some of which are outlined in “The Perfect Storm.” (You can find the report at http://identitytheft911.org/newsletters/index.htm). Data breaches and identity theft are already severely out of hand. Yet, I believe we have only seen the tip of the iceberg. With over 252 million records improperly exposed since 2005 (and only 2-3 percent of the people on those databases experiencing personal compromises), one can only wonder who might have access to the information of the 97 percent who have not yet had an identity theft issue and ponder - in light of 9/11 - what plans the ill intentioned have for the rest of us. Undoubtedly, now is the time for industry leaders and resources to come together to develop and implement a true solution. Best, Adam Levin Co-Founder and Chairman Identity Theft 911 Protecting the information that is stored and transmitted online by both the government and private enterprises, especially in the worst economy since the Great Depression, is an issue that must be moved from the back to front burner.

Since 2005, we have been barraged with reports of database compromises which grow more sophisticated (monster.com) and larger (Heartland Payment Systems – perhaps the largest in history) by the day, and are examples of what does happen when adequate steps aren’t taken to protect data and the Internet. Identity Theft 911, of which I am Co-Founder and Chairman, recently released a report titled “The Perfect Storm” which predicts that data breaches and identity theft will increase dramatically as the economy continues to decline, a stance that has since been supported by a Javelin Strategy and Research report.

From my position, I have firsthand knowledge of how compromised data can turn into identity theft cases costing untold amounts in lost time, resources and money. For companies it can range into the tens of millions of dollars; for governments it can result in the loss of state secrets and large payouts (see the VA breach); for individuals it can result in permanent lost savings and damaged credit that could take years to restore.

The first step in averting identity theft is protecting information. The Obama administration has, seemingly, made a step in the right direction with Melissa Hathaway. However, there are many more steps that must be taken, some of which are outlined in “The Perfect Storm.” (You can find the report at http://identitytheft911.org/newsletters/index.htm).

Data breaches and identity theft are already severely out of hand. Yet, I believe we have only seen the tip of the iceberg. With over 252 million records improperly exposed since 2005 (and only 2-3 percent of the people on those databases experiencing personal compromises), one can only wonder who might have access to the information of the 97 percent who have not yet had an identity theft issue and ponder – in light of 9/11 – what plans the ill intentioned have for the rest of us. Undoubtedly, now is the time for industry leaders and resources to come together to develop and implement a true solution.

Best,
Adam Levin
Co-Founder and Chairman
Identity Theft 911

]]> By: Paul Davie http://lastwatchdog.com/consultant-advising-obama-on-cybersecurity/#comment-122 Paul Davie Wed, 18 Feb 2009 19:00:43 +0000 http://lastwatchdog.com/?p=467#comment-122 The Obama Administration is entering a world that is more interconnected than ever before, and one effect of this connectedness is a real threat to all types of data. By wisely taking a holistic approach to data -- involving ISPs, carriers, governmental bodies and private corporations -- the Administration will cast a wide security net. The reality, however, is that data breaches will still occur. In this new global environment, the Administration can been seen to be taking a lead in creating standardized approaches after a breach has occurred - the EU needs to follow the US (California and many other states) in this respect. What the past two years have shown -- with Hannaford, TJX, Heartland, etc. -- is that notification laws vary and the consumer is often the last priority. The Administration needs to put notification at the center of its cybersecurity strategy, so that consumers and others are not left guessing and piecing together important parts of their personal histories after a breach has occurred. The Obama Administration is entering a world that is more interconnected than ever before, and one effect of this connectedness is a real threat to all types of data. By wisely taking a holistic approach to data — involving ISPs, carriers, governmental bodies and private corporations — the Administration will cast a wide security net. The reality, however, is that data breaches will still occur. In this new global environment, the Administration can been seen to be taking a lead in creating standardized approaches after a breach has occurred – the EU needs to follow the US (California and many other states) in this respect. What the past two years have shown — with Hannaford, TJX, Heartland, etc. — is that notification laws vary and the consumer is often the last priority. The Administration needs to put notification at the center of its cybersecurity strategy, so that consumers and others are not left guessing and piecing together important parts of their personal histories after a breach has occurred.

]]> By: Brent http://lastwatchdog.com/consultant-advising-obama-on-cybersecurity/#comment-121 Brent Tue, 17 Feb 2009 23:36:00 +0000 http://lastwatchdog.com/?p=467#comment-121 A huge job and much too late, but it is necessary that the initiative is there. Our state data is, and always has been, one of the most important entities to protect. The act of protecting and monitoring data and data access for the entire government is going to be a big task. Perhaps it'll kill two birds with one stone and create some more jobs too! A huge job and much too late, but it is necessary that the initiative is there. Our state data is, and always has been, one of the most important entities to protect.

The act of protecting and monitoring data and data access for the entire government is going to be a big task. Perhaps it’ll kill two birds with one stone and create some more jobs too!

]]> By: Jacob Riggan http://lastwatchdog.com/consultant-advising-obama-on-cybersecurity/#comment-119 Jacob Riggan Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:27:16 +0000 http://lastwatchdog.com/?p=467#comment-119 Sounds like censorship in a silverlining. the questions is going to Watch Big Brother while they are watching you. Sounds like censorship in a silverlining. the questions is going to Watch Big Brother while they are watching you.

]]> By: eric johnson http://lastwatchdog.com/consultant-advising-obama-on-cybersecurity/#comment-118 eric johnson Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:15:44 +0000 http://lastwatchdog.com/?p=467#comment-118 Hathaway certainly as a full plate! Hathaway certainly as a full plate!

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