Cybersecurity emerges as a pressing concern in political circles
In the modern digital age, cybersecurity has emerged as a critical concern for policymakers across the globe. The political awareness of cybersecurity critically shapes the development and implementation of cybersecurity legislation, ensuring a balance between national security, protecting democratic processes, and fostering international cooperation.
Recent events have highlighted the importance of cybersecurity, with the U.S. election campaign serving as a prime example. The Democratic Party was hacked during the campaign, demonstrating the willingness of hostile states to use cyberattacks to influence elections. This incident underscores the need for robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard democratic processes.
The political awareness of cybersecurity has led to the enactment of legislation such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which requires businesses to consider what their critical assets are and how they protect these assets in depth. GDPR, while a significant improvement, is also an example of policymakers and regulators not fully understanding all the nuances of cybersecurity. Compliance with GDPR should be achieved through end-to-end best practice, rather than as a result of a meaningless 'tick box' governance and compliance exercise.
The focus is not just on securing critical national infrastructure but also on helping citizens and organizations navigate cybersecurity issues. John Madelin, CEO of Reliance ACSN, believes that increased awareness of the importance of securing critical data end-to-end, and legislation to back this up, may make us feel more confident about the future of cyber security.
The rise of cybersecurity as a political issue is not limited to the United States. Cybersecurity is also gaining attention from politicians and legislators in other countries, with the UN Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) reports highlighting strong support for public-private partnerships and regional CERT collaboration as practical mechanisms in legislation and policy implementation.
Legislative updates address advanced cybersecurity threats posed by technologies such as quantum computing and AI. For instance, U.S. laws incorporate mandates for quantum resistance and deepfake detection to counter misinformation and cyber threats linked to artificial intelligence. The promotion of international and cross-sector cooperation is essential in managing cybersecurity risks.
Political priorities also drive efforts to support digital security capacity building in less developed countries to promote secure digital development and reduce vulnerabilities globally. Increasing political recognition of the private sector's involvement in protecting cross-border digital infrastructure encourages legislators to define clearer responsibilities for private actors within cybersecurity frameworks.
In conclusion, political awareness elevates cybersecurity from a technical issue to a comprehensive policy challenge. The focus is on creating resilient, future-focused, and inclusive cybersecurity legislation that safeguards national interests, democratic processes, and global digital stability. Despite the limited grasp that politicians may have on the topic, the security of critical data is being addressed at the highest levels of power, which is a good thing for the future of cybersecurity.
[1] Executive Order 13694 - Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity, 2015. [2] Executive Order 14144 - Improving the Nation's Cybersecurity, 2021. [3] UN Open-Ended Working Group on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security, 2021. [4] Group of Governmental Experts on Developments in the Field of Information and Telecommunications in the Context of International Security, 2015. [5] White House, Fact Sheet: Cybersecurity Executive Order, 2015.
- The political attention towards cybersecurity has led to the enactment of legislation like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which addresses critical asset protection in technology, while also demonstrating the need for a thorough understanding of cybersecurity nuances to ensure effective governance.
- The importance of cybersecurity in general-news, including political manipulation during elections, has inspired international cooperation, with the UN Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) reports advocating for public-private partnerships and regional CERT collaboration to enhance security in technology and politics.
