Waiting for a Cyber 9/11 is a Poor Security Strategy

[Commentary] Regardless of whether one believes that a cyber 9/11 or cyber Pearl Harbor is imminent, one thing is clear—the government’s efforts on cybersecurity have and will be intimately connected to terrorist threats to our critical infrastructure. The genesis of much of our cybersecurity efforts pre-dates 9/11, yet trace back to another attack on U.S. soil—the Oklahoma City bombings. While cybersecurity may have become a political football in recent months leading up to this year’s elections, hopefully government, industry, and political parties will be able to overcome the politicization and polarization to address an issue that is critical to our national security and efforts against terrorism that threatens our critical assets and infrastructure. While President Obama is contemplating issuing Executive Orders and Presidential Directives, it’s clear from the history of cybersecurity policy that Congress will need to act to truly further our nation’s efforts.