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Cyber SecuritySince 2002, TechNet and its members have worked closely with the Administration and Congress in efforts to fight terrorism and strengthen our national security by strengthening cyber security. TechNet Leads Industry Initiatives to Strengthen Cyber Security TechNet urges the Administration and Congress to support voluntary, private-sector initiatives that enhance the security of the nation’s information infrastructure and to refrain from imposing regulation which would stifle innovation and create a false sense of security. With over 80 percent of the Internet operated by the private sector, protecting our enterprise systems is not only a practical safeguard against business losses, it is a patriotic duty to secure the nation’s information infrastructure. TechNet has led industry efforts to invest time and capital in information security risk management and implementation of known best practices. Regulatory mandates –- requiring adherence to a government-defined set of security criteria -- could be harmful and even dangerous. Security needs vary according to specific situations and users. Technology evolves rapidly; any codification of security measures would be quickly rendered obsolete by advances in both attack methods and new security technologies. Organizations must have flexibility to assess their own risks and adapt to a changing environment. Regulation would divert corporate resources from implementing improvements to demonstrating compliance. TechNet believes that market forces will reward companies that protect their own and their customers’ security and punish companies that incur losses in operations, sales, reputation, intellectual property and customer base through negligence. TechNet Corporate Information Security Initiative In response to President Bush's release of the National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace, TechNet has taken a leadership role in promoting voluntary, private sector initiatives to improve enterprise security. In 2003, TechNet’s CEO Cyber Security Task Force launched an initiative challenging CEOs to assess and improve their company’s security posture. The centerpiece of this effort is the TechNet Corporate Information Security Evaluation for CEOs - an online self-assessment and educational tool to enable CEOs to quickly review their information security programs and identify areas of weakness. TechNet has also created an online CEO Cyber Security Resource Center. TechNet and the National Cyber Security Partnership As a founding member of the National Cyber Security Partnership, TechNet has sponsored the National Cyber Security Summit and managed the development of consensus reports and recommendations addressing information security corporate governance and technical standards and Common Criteria. These can be found at www.cyberpartnership.org. In 2004 and 2005, TechNet co-organized conferences on Common Criteria reform. The TechNet CEO Cyber Security Task Force TechNet's cyber security initiatives are developed and led by a Task Force of CEOs committed to improving our nation’s information infrastructure. TechNet's CEO Cyber Security Task Force members represent leading computer networking, hardware, software, and cyber security companies. Members include: Eric Benhamou, Chairman, PalmOne, PalmSource and 3Com Corporations, Task Force Co-Chair
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