The US Government -- and the Next President -- Needs to Take Cybersecurity Seriously

[Commentary] In the face of increasingly dangerous cyberattacks, it is imperative that we overcome gridlock in Washington. Cyberattacks threaten not just Americans’ privacy, personal credit information, and intellectual property but also military operations and national security intelligence. A new agenda is urgently needed to improve our nation’s cybersecurity.

First, unlike the military’s command-and-control approach to past defense challenges, this new threat will require a collaborative and networked approach across public and private sectors. Second, greater security requires greater investment. Investing more resources in cybersecurity is an economic and national security priority. Third, we need to understand that every segment of government has a role to play. Maryland’s record of achievement on cybersecurity issues provides a path forward for the nation. Our digital information and networks are critical to our economic might and national security. We should treat them like the precious resources that they are.

[Martin O’Malley is the former governor of Maryland and a Democratic candidate for president of the United States]