Regulatory enforcement is our best weapon against cyberwar
The war in Ukraine demonstrates that modern warfare is not just wielded on the battlefield. The war started with attacks on Ukrainian websites and computers, and it continues with Ukraine’s supporters attacking Russian targets. On May 12, 2021, President Biden issued an executive order to improve cybersecurity for the federal government. However, when it comes to the private sector, all Biden administration initiatives are voluntary and depend on the goodwill of private companies. Unfortunately, this is not sufficient. While there are no methods that can completely safeguard networks and systems against cyberattacks, to increase the odds that our country will not be paralyzed, regulations that will enforce cybersecurity principles on products and infrastructure are necessary. The executive order was an excellent first step in the right direction. It required the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), in collaboration with industry and other partners, to develop a ...