OPINION / Bolstering the nation’s cyber-security

With four competing bills on the subject, including proposed legislation by Senators John Rockefeller (D-WV) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME), the Critical Electric Infrastructure Protection Act, proposed by Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) and Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), as well as the Bulk Power System Protection Act, proposed by Rep. Edward Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), never has the need for collaboration between the public and private sectors been more evident.

In short, the combined media and Congressional attention mentioned above has underscored the fact that the risks are real and the task to bolster the nation’s overall cyber-security is large. Ultimately, regardless of jurisdictional differences, public and private sector partnerships will emerge as the non-negotiable factor in achieving cyber-security success.

Brian Ahern is the president and chief executive officer of Industrial Defender. He can be reached at: bahern@industrialdefender.com.