Cyber Deterrence Symposium
Policy & Research Forum Special Event
November 2, 2009
**Event video coming soon.**
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For HSPI resources and more, see Hot Topic: Cyber
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Summary
On Monday, November 2, 2009, HSPI and the Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) co-hosted a symposium on cyber deterrence featuring keynote addresses by Jaak Aaviksoo, Estonia’s Minister of Defence; Susan Collins, Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; and Chris Painter, Acting Senior Director of Cyber Security, National Security Council. HSPI Steering Committee Member Charlie Allen provided opening remarks. Frank Cilluffo, HSPI’s Director, moderated four panel discussions. In turn, INSA led a panel presentation of their Cyber Task Force report, “Addressing Cyber Security Through Public-Private Partnership.”
The day-long symposium brought together key stakeholders across government, both civilian and military, as well as thought leaders and private sector executives. Panel discussions addressed in sequence the cyber threat, deterrent capability, solutions, and implementation. Speakers emphasized that at the individual, corporate, and national level, we face constant peril from a range of sources, including state actors and cyber criminals, and from a range of threats, including espionage and potentially attacks against critical infrastructure. Since attribution for wrongdoing remains difficult in this realm, resiliency must be our watchword and the United States must develop and articulate a clear cyber doctrine. Achieving a comprehensive doctrine of this sort will require popular awareness of cyber risks, public-private sector partnerships, streamlined oversight and most importantly, presidential leadership. Throughout the day, speakers highlighted the stark and immediate need for an increased focus on cyber deterrence.
Assessing the threat dimension Mr. Cilluffo remarked, “I don’t think terrorists are likely to attack the Internet. They live and breathe on it. But they may use it for a multiplier effect.”
Distinguished subject matter experts that shared their insights and experience at the symposium included the following:
Richard Barrett Coordinator, Al-Qaeda Taliban Monitoring Team, United Nations
Steve Chabinsky Deputy Assistant Director, FBI Cyber Division
Jeff Cooper Vice President for Technology, SAIC
Roger Cressey President, Good Harbor
Mike Delaney Majority Staff Director, House of Representatives’ Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence
David Grannis Majority Staff Director, Senate Select Committee on Intelligence
Jim Lewis Director and Senior Fellow, Technology and Public Policy Program, CSIS
Martin Libicki Senior Policy Analyst, RAND
Michael Nacht Assistant Secretary of Defense for Global Strategic Affairs
Richard O’Neill President, The Highlands Forum
Terry Pudas Senior Research Fellow, Center for Technology and National Security Policy
Philip Reitinger Deputy Undersecretary for the National Protection and Programs Directorate, Department of Homeland Security
Neill Sciarrone Former Special Assistant to the President for Homeland Security
Thom Shanker Correspondent, The New York Times
Suzanne Spaulding Principal, Bingham Consulting Group
Sam Visner Vice President, Strategy and Business Development for Enforcement, Security, and Intelligence Division, CSC
Lee Zeichner President, Zeichner Risk Analytics
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The HSPI Policy & Research Forum series is designed to spotlight cutting-edge policy solutions and innovative strategies to some of the most pressing national and international concerns. The Forum features leading officials, practitioners and thinkers in a systematic way designed to better highlight their work and promote a dialogue on effective solutions to current issues.