By James Lint
Faculty Member, School of Business, American Military University
Senior Editor for In Cyber Defense and Contributor, In Homeland Security
Donald Trump announced last week that former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani will be advising the new administration on cybersecurity issues.
Giuliani will head an advisory group from the corporate world because of his “long and very successful government career in law enforcement, and his now sixteen years of work providing security solutions in the private sector,” according to a statement by the Trump transition website.
Trump will host “a series of meetings with senior corporate executives from companies which have faced or are facing challenges similar to those facing the government and public entities today, such as hacking, intrusions, disruptions, manipulations, theft of data and identities, and securing information technology infrastructure,” the GreatAgain.gov website explains.
The goal is to improve the planning and implementation for increasing security of computer systems by drawing on the knowledge and input of corporate leaders. Cybersecurity has become a key issue for Trump, since U.S. intelligence agencies blamed Russia for recent hacking attacks during the U.S. presidential election campaign.
New Cybersecurity Initiative Using Several Avenues to Share Information
The Department of Homeland Security has several avenues to share information with public corporations. Executive Order 13691, Promoting Private Sector Cybersecurity Information Sharing directs DHS to engage “in continuous, collaborative, and inclusive coordination” with information sharing and analysis organizations (ISAOs) via the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC). The NCCIC coordinates cybersecurity information sharing and analysis among the federal government and private-sector partners.
These organizations were created for each of the 16 critical infrastructure sectors. The information technology sector has many government and private sector participants. It appears this new initiative aims to get corporate executives to participate and solve cyber security problems.
What Will Giuliani’s Role Be?
Giuliani’s role in this new cybersecurity initiative is not clear. For example, what will his official position be and how will he interact with DHS? The DHS Office of Cybersecurity and Communications (CS&C) is part of the National Protection and Programs Directorate. Will Giuliani coordinate with the CS&C? Or will he plan for or give direction to the office?
The U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) has broad knowledge of and experience with federal computer systems. The Defense Department is required to report an incident to US-CERT within 12 hours. Public-sector organizations can voluntarily report incidents to US-CERT.
Will Giuliani receive briefings from US-CERT? Will he have the reports filtered via CS&C?
The bottom line is that the new administration sees the value of and need for improved cybersecurity. It appears to be a growing business. It will also be an area for improved employment prospects.
About the Author
James R. Lint recently retired as the (GG-15) civilian director for intelligence and security, G2, U.S. Army Communications Electronics Command. He is an adjunct professor at AMU. James has been involved in cyberespionage events from just after the turn of the century in South Korea, supporting 1st Signal Brigade to the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis as the first government cyber intelligence analyst. He has 38 years of experience in military intelligence with the U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army, government contracting and civil service.
Additionally, James started the Lint Center for National Security Studies, a nonprofit charity that recently awarded its 43rd scholarship for national security students and professionals. James was also elected as the 2015 national vice president for the Military Intelligence Corps Association. He has also served in the Department of Energy’s S&S Security Office after his active military career in the Marine Corps for seven years and also served 14 years in the Army. His military assignments include South Korea, Germany and Cuba in addition to numerous CONUS locations. James has authored a book published in 2013, “Leadership and Management Lessons Learned,” a book in 2016 “8 Eyes on Korea, A Travel Perspective of Seoul, Korea,” and Secrets to Getting a Federal Government Job.
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