Collaborating with the Private Sector

Abstract

Abstract : Attacks on the nation's networks are increasing exponentially, as is a growing dependency on cyberspace. It is imperative that the nation's critical infrastructure is protected, especially telecommunications, financial systems, the water supply, electrical grids, and transportation. Currently, the private industry owns 85 percent of the nation's critical infrastructure, while the U.S. government owns only 15 percent. Thus, the U.S. government must work with the private industry to create a collaboration that will protect and defend cyberspace. Many experts emphasize the need to secure the nation's cyber domain, but also acknowledge that actually doing so will probably not occur until there is a cyber disaster, such as a cyber 9/11. The report focuses on discussing the legal barriers to collaboration between the U.S. government and the private sector. Initially, a list of over 30 bodies of law pertaining to cyberspace were compiled, but the focus was narrowed to include only those dealing specifically with collaboration. Non-legal barriers that hinder collaboration, including information-sharing, data classification, and differing motivations and culture are also addressed.