Executive Order establishes cybersecurity commission

Today the President signed an Executive Order establishing a Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity. In his remarks, President Obama said the new commission was created “in order to enhance cybersecurity awareness and protections at all levels of government, business, and society.”

The Commission is formed within the Department of Commerce, and will include no more than twelve members. These members may include individuals with knowledge and experience in cybersecurity, national security and law enforcement, corporate governance, risk management, information technology, privacy, government administration, communications, and other related areas.

The purpose of the Commission is to make detailed recommendations to strengthen cybersecurity in both the public and private sectors. These recommendations should address actions that can be taken over the next decade, and should focus on protecting privacy and ensuring public safety, economic security, and national security. The recommendations should also bolster partnerships between federal, state, and local government and the private sector in the development, promotion, and use of cybersecurity technologies, policies, and best practices.

The Commission has been tasked with developing recommendations regarding a number of issues, including:

• how best to bolster the protection of systems and data;
• further investments in research and development initiatives that can enhance cybersecurity;
• increasing the quality, quantity, and level of expertise of the cybersecurity workforce in the federal government and private sector, including through education and training; and
• improving education of cybersecurity practices for the general public.

The executive order is one of many measures the Obama administration is taking to improve U.S. cybersecurity.

For more information on the executive order, please follow the link below.
Executive Order — Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity, White House
White House wants $19B for cyber in FY 2017, FCW