Obama Advises Trump To Train 100,000 Hackers
The Obama Administration has recommended that incoming President Donald Trump execute a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, including the training of 100,000 white hats.
A special Commission has delivered a report outlining cybersecurity as one of the greatest challenges that the US faces, as reflected in President Obama’s 2017 budget, which calls for a more than 35% increase in federal cybersecurity resources.
The incoming Trump administration is first being advised to train 100,000 hackers by 2020 as part of a "national cybersecurity workforce program" that would deliver experts to businesses and government agencies across the country, addressing the much-publicized workforce skills shortage.
The Commission also recommends establishing international norms for hacking, a kind of Geneva Convention for ethics in cyberwar; and to establish a precedent for product liability when internet-connected devices have little or no security.
“Internet of Things (IoT) devices are the current "it thing" in cybersecurity, as there is no true standard for developing, deploying or securing the software which runs these kinds of devices," said Nathan Wenzler, principal security architect at AsTech Consulting, via email.
"As they become more and more ubiquitous, IoT devices present a huge platform for cybercriminals and hacktivists to target, compromise and use for whatever purpose they see fit. Putting an emphasis on building secure IoT platforms and increasing R&D for developing operating systems and related software products in a secure manner from the start is a hugely important area of Information Security that extends well beyond IoT devices alone. It's commonly said that, when it comes to security, it's ‘better to bake it in than bolt it on.’ ”
Obama said that he has asked the Commission, which included ex-NSA director Keith Alexander, MasterCard CEO Ajay Banga, plus other notable business executives, lawyers and academics, to brief the president-elect’s transition team at its earliest opportunity.
The Trump administration is also being advised to issue a national cybersecurity strategy in the first six months of his term, and to appoint a new cyber-advisor and cyber-ambassador.
Obama said, “investing in human capital, education, and the productivity of the cybersecurity workforce will ensure that this country’s best and brightest are helping us stay ahead of the cybersecurity curve.
Continuing to prioritise and coordinate cybersecurity efforts across the federal government will ensure that this critical challenge remains a top national security priority. And furthering the promotion of international norms of responsible state behavior will ensure that the global community is able to confront the ever-evolving threats we face.”
Infosecurity Magazine: Donald Trump Has A Plan for CyberWar:
