Cyber and Internet Policy

Part of the:

Technology and Public Policy Program Projects

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Cyberspace is a new global infrastructure that has become central to economic activity and national security around the world.

Highlighted publications:

The “Korean” Cyber Attacks and Their Implications for Cyber Conflict
James A. Lewis
October 2009

This report discusses topics such as when a cyber attack becomes an act of war, deterrence in cyberspace, norms and thresholds, political constraints on cyber attack, and non-state actors in cyberspace.

Innovation and Cybersecurity Regulation
James A Lewis
March 2009

The market has failed to secure cyberspace. A new Federal approach to cybersecurity will fail if it does not elicit actions that the private sector will not otherwise perform. Regulation and innovation are not inherently at odds. If one extreme – over-regulation - damages the public interest, so does its opposite, a lack of Federal intervention to advance the common interest. Whether this is financial activity, food safety, or automobiles, there are many examples where the Federal government imposed rules and mandated action by the private sector to secure the public, dating back to the early 19th century. One lesson to draw from this experience is that regulation can inspire innovation, by creating demand for new and safer products and by encouraging innovators to work in a conceptual framework that does not make security and safety a tertiary concern.

Highlighted Events:

Information Dominance: The Navy’s Initiative to Maintain the Competitive Advantage in the Information Age
October 1, 2009
Capitol Hilton

Admiral Gary Roughead, USN, Chief of Naval Operations discussed organizational changes within the Navy to meet the challenges of the information age – the consolidation of the Director, Naval Intelligence (N2), the DCNO for Communications Networks (N6), and other information capabilities into a single organization.

Social Network or Sanction? Web 2.0 Technology, Trade, Sanctions, and Democratic Participation
September 11, 2009
CSIS

Recent events in Iran and China have demonstrated the potential of new social networking technology to help effect political change. Indeed, many overstate the influence of Web 2.0 technology on political systems, but it is still important to consider.

Protecting the Domain: Cybersecurity as a Defense Priority
June 15, 2009
CSIS

Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn III discussed new and existing cybersecurity initiatives at the U.S. Department of Defense. This event was part of the CSIS Statesmen’s Forum.