ITAA chief calls for cybersecurity facility modeled on Y2K center
The Information Technology Association of America is proposing that the government create an International Information Security Coordination Center, modeled after the Year 2000 International Coordination Center.
By Shruti Dat'GCN StaffThe Information Technology Association of America is proposing that the government create an International Information Security Coordination Center, modeled after the Year 2000 International Coordination Center.Harris N. Miller, president of the Arlington, Va., association, said he would present a more detailed proposal for I-InfosecCC in the coming weeks.'What was impressive about the Y2K center was that it was a lean and mean organization, and it was effective in coordinating both from the government and the private sector side around the globe,' he said.For a security effort, 'it would be a bit more complicated to stay focused,' he said, because unlike year 2000, the systems security problem comprises multiple issues and has no must-meet deadline.There are law enforcement organizations to exchange information about investigations, Miller said. But there is no network for other entities around the world, such as energy and commerce groups.'If you set up the network appropriately, the leading U.S. energy producers would know exactly who to network with in European or African countries,' Miller said. Such links were important during the date code transition, he said.The proposed international center could also organize regional meetings and prepare an information security readiness grid, Miller said.The center, at a cost of about $2.5 million a year, would not need a huge bureaucracy to collect and disseminate cybersecurity information among governments and the private sector, he said. Instead, Miller said, he envisions steering committees that would direct separate efforts for the public and private sectors.Support from public- and private-sector leaders around the world would be key, he said.The participation of information security leaders such as John S. Tritak, director of the Commerce Department's Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office, and Energy Department chief information officer John Gilligan, along with their international counterparts, would be beneficial, Miller said.
Moving target
ITAA's Harris Miller says he'll present a detailed plan soon.
Moving target