Cybersecurity Act of 2012 Re-Introduced in Senate With Changes to Address Information-Sharing Privacy Concerns The revised bill is expected to be considered by the Senate later this week. (Photo: Wikimedia) With increasing concern over cyberattacks against critical infrastructure within the United States, the House and Senate both introduced bills earlier this year that were intended to help strengthen security. They would help facilitate the reporting of cyberattacks between private companies and the government, but were met with backlash as some thought this could lead to violations of anti-trust laws by the government, among other concerns. (Related: Defense Secretary: Cyberattacks Have the Potential for Another Pearl Harbor) The Cyber-Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) passed in the House and awaits a Senate vote. The Huffington Post reports that five senators re-introduced CSA2012, omitting security requirements and subsequent penalties for companies maintaining critical infrastructure. Not everyone is happy with this change though.
Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA H.R. 3523 (112th Congress), H.R. 624 (113th Congress)) is a proposed law in the United States which would allow for the sharing of Internet traffic information between the U.S. government and technology and manufacturing companies. The stated aim of the bill is to help the U.S. government investigate cyber threats and ensure the security of networks against cyberattacks.[1] Some critics saw CISPA as a second attempt at strengthening digital piracy laws after the Stop Online Piracy Act and the Protect Intellectual Property Act both met huge opposition.[12] Intellectual property theft was initially listed in the bill as a possible cause for sharing Web traffic information with the government, though it was removed in subsequent drafts.[13] Content[edit] CISPA is an amendment to the National Security Act of 1947, which does not currently contain provisions pertaining to cybercrime. Recent developments[edit] House voting counts[edit]
White House reporters complain about poor access to President Obama White House reporters squirmed with frustration this weekend when President Barack Obama’s aides repeatedly stiff-armed their attempts to follow him on his three-day Florida vacation and his golf outing with Tiger Woods. The media’s frustration prompted a protest by the White House Correspondents Association, and a rapid slap-down by the White House’s press shop. “A broad cross section of our members from print, radio, online and TV have today expressed extreme frustration to me about having absolutely no access to the President of the United States this entire weekend,” said a Feb. 17 statement from Ed Henry, a Fox News correspondent who is also the elected head of the WHCA. “There is a very simple but important principle we will continue to fight for today and in the days ahead: transparency,” he said. “The press access granted by the White House today is entirely consistent with the press access offered for previous presidential golf outings,” read the White House’s reply.
Congress: Protect Consumers Not Corporations Dear [Decision Maker], I urge you to quickly approve the confirmation of Richard Cordray to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and oppose any attempts to weaken the watchdog's independence or authority. The last thing our nation needs is a repeat of the economic mess created by lax oversight, and delaying Mr. Cordray's confirmation could make us vulnerable again to dangerous financial schemes and tricks. As you know, Mr. Among his successes: - Getting $425 million in refunds for consumers who were duped by large banks' deceptive and misleading advertising. - Responding and investigating more than 130,000 consumer complaints in every state about unfair financial practices. - Creating new mortgage rules to make sure consumers have the ability to pay their loans, and to protect us from irresponsible mortgage lending practices and unfair foreclosures. [Your comments here] Mr. Sincerely, [Your name here] less Mr.
Obama Makes Cybersecurity a Priority President Barack Obama recently communicated his urge to have Congress pass the Cybersecurity Act of 2012. In last week’s Wall Street Journal Opinion the President echoed his belief that the nation’s cyber defenses are at risk. Much of what he wrote was reminiscent of Len Wiseman’s 2009 movie, Live Free or Die Hard, when a former a Department of Defense analyst shut down the nation in a matter of days. President Obama details a hypothetical mass disaster that wrecked havoc on the nation’s transportation and water systems: “Across the country trains had derailed, including one carrying industrial chemicals that exploded into a toxic cloud. The remarks were inspired by the Black Hat 2012 Conference, designed to bring together leaders to define the future of information security, currently being held in Las Vegas this week. “We are going to try carrots instead of sticks as we begin to improve our cyber defenses,”Lieberman, said in an e-mail statement. About the Author Manuel Flores.
OPERATION TROLL THE NSA CISPA is Back: FAQ on What it is and Why it's Still Dangerous UPDATE (4/22/13): The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act (CISPA) has passed the House of Representatives with amendments. This FAQ reflects the bill prior to the amendments. We will be updating this post as we review the bill. In the meantime, please refer to the version of the bill (PDF) that passed the House. The privacy-invasive bill known as CISPA—the so-called “cybersecurity” bill—was reintroduced in February 2013. What is “CISPA”? CISPA stands for The Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act, a network and Internet security bill written by Rep. Under CISPA, what can a private company do? Under CISPA, any company can “use cybersecurity systems to identify and obtain cyber threat information to protect the rights and property” of the company, and then share that information with third parties, including the government, so long as it is for “cybersecurity purposes.” Does CISPA do enough to prevent abuse of the law for copyright enforcement? No. Almost nothing. No. Yes.
The Washington Post Names Its First Black Managing Editor African-American journalists are still making strides in the journalism world, and Kevin Merida has just made history at the Washington Post. The 56-year-old was named managing editor of the daily newspaper on Monday, making him the first Black journalist to achieve the title. “I am extremely honored to be managing editor of the Washington Post. Merida has held multiple titles during his 20 years at the Washington Post. “I love the rich tradition of the Washington Post,” he said. Merida graduated with a degree in journalism from Boston University in 1979 and he’s the co-author of two books: Supreme Discomfort: The Divided Soul of Clarence Thomas and Obama: The Historic Campaign in Photographs. Join us in wishing Merida big congratulations!
» Barack Obama’s Pro Cyber-Security (CISPA) Freedom-Ending Op-Ed In The Wall Street Journal Tuesday 24 July, 2012 Barack Obama’s Pro Cyber-Security (CISPA) Freedom-Ending Op-Ed In The Wall Street Journal Taking the Cyberattack Threat Seriously In a future conflict, an adversary unable to match our military supremacy on the battlefield might seek to exploit our computer vulnerabilities here at home By BARACK OBAMA Last month I convened an emergency meeting of my cabinet and top homeland security, intelligence and defense officials. Our nation, it appeared, was under cyber attack. Your Microsoft Xbox One Is Always Watching and Listening - Ellis Benus Infographic from: Note: The Microphone is always on because you can use a voice command to turn on the Xbox. Attention Parents The Xbox One: Privacy vs Your Child’s Hobby Just the Facts: Xbox One Microsoft will be releasing a new console in the coming months.Every console will include a Kinect 2 webcam.The webcam MUST be connected for the Xbox to function.The microphone is ALWAYS ON, even when the Xbox is powered down. It can analyse faces, emotional expressions and even heart beats. 1 in 2 webcams can be hacked. Microsoft has filed a patent to use the camera and it’s features to spy on anyone around to target better ads and even help the government on request. This is an unprecedented level of corporate data-mining and control.