Obama Says New Cyberczar Won’t Spy on the Net (Threat Level)

[Drew Wilson]

Following months of rumors, President Barack Obama confirmed Friday that the White House will be creating a new office to be led by a cybersecurity czar. The office will be in charge of coordinating efforts to secure government networks and U.S. critical infrastructures.

Obama was quick to add that the new White House cybersecurity office would include an official whose job is to ensure that the government’s cyber policies don’t violate privacy and civil liberties of Americans. He also reaffirmed his support for the principle of net neutrality.

“Our pursuit of cybersecurity will not include — I repeat, will not include — monitoring private sector networks or internet traffic,” he said. “We will preserve and protect the personal privacy and civil liberties that we cherish as Americans. Indeed, I remain firmly committed to net neutrality so we can keep the internet as it should be, open and free.”

The White House cybersecurity czar, who has not been named yet, will report to the National Security Council and the National Economic Council, putting the position one rung lower in the executive branch hierarchy than many security experts had hoped for. Speculators predicted the czar would report directly to the president, which would have helped insulate the office from agency turf battles.

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Well of course the czar doesn't need to monitor internet traffic without a warrant, that's the NSA's job!

[Mels_Smileys45]

OMG! Obama talk at ZP!!!!??? I am gonna kill myself now!

[Drew Wilson]

Sorry Mel, but those two news stories were a little big to ignore.

[Mels_Smileys45]

I was ignoring them pretty well!!!!

[Drew Wilson]

Here's an interesting take from the EFF

[1cooldude]

I was just watching a report on CBC regarding this new cyber czar
position and it mentioned that American government gets an average 3 million attacks everyday. More than 50% have an origin from China. As far as counter spying, that's a lot of BS. You can not protect your system unless you spy on others. I guess it's better later then never.

[Drew Wilson]

I was just watching a report on CBC regarding this new cyber czar
position and it mentioned that American government gets an average 3 million attacks everyday. More than 50% have an origin from China. As far as counter spying, that's a lot of BS. You can not protect your system unless you spy on others. I guess it's better later then never.

I think we saw the same report. I was laughing pretty much through the whole thing.

Afterwards, I knew Threat Level had something on the subject. Sure enough, that source didn't let me down and I figured it was worth posting here.