When the first Congress met, on March 4, 1789, you can bet that none of them were thinking about the terms cyber space, ransomware, or stolen data. Even if they had read the most advanced science fiction of the time, those words were not bounding around on the newly printed pages. Besides, they had much more important things to think about (and read), right? Like, the fact that George Washington needed a place to live! Or James Madison was being strenuous about state debts! Real world problems. And if they were reading anything it was probably the newly published The Castles of Athlin and Dunbayne by Ann Radcliffe, the thrilling story of clashing clans in the Scottish highlands. No, no ransomware there…
Well, time travel through cyber space to the here and now, and you get Congress’ most recent report on Cybersecurity: Selected Issue for the 115th Congress (you can read the entire 33 page article here.) Oh, how times have changed. It is true we still have housing problems, and most people are strenuous about their debts, but what is holding all of our interest? What is at the forefront these days of how we relate, how we spend, how we approach society, learning, business, marketing, religion, music, art, we could go on? Cyber space, really. It is hot real estate, and it is here to stay.
Cyber security policy affects everyone. This report issued addresses how to deal with cyber security incidents, major federal agency roles and responsibilities, policy actions and issues that will be address by our 115th Congress.
How involved do you feel Congress should be when it comes to creating policy or procedures around cyber space?
Let us know!