A Chance to Comment on Commerce’s Report on Cybersecurity Incentives

As part of the Executive Order signed by President Obama directing agencies to use their existing authorities and work with the private sector to better protect our nation’s power, water, and other critical systems, the Commerce Department is preparing a report on ways to incentivize companies and organizations to improve their cybersecurity. To better understand what stakeholders – such as companies, trade associations, academics and others – believe would best serve as incentives, the Department has released a series of questions to gather public comments in a Notice of Inquiry.

The Notice will remain open for public comment until April 27, 2013. All comments will be posted on the Department’s Internet Policy Task Force web site. The Department will submit its recommendations to the President no later than June 12, 2013. The Executive Order also directs the Secretaries of the Treasury and Homeland Security to recommend incentives to participate in the Program. The Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of General Services are tasked with reporting on government procurement-related issues.