On July 31, 2018 I attended the first National Cybersecurity Summit at the US Customs House in lower Manhattan. The building itself was constructed around 1902-1907 in order to collect tariffs. Teddy Roosevelt was President and tariffs were a subject of divisive national debate. Global issues were still in evidence at the Cybersecurity Summit, with the administration promoting new initiatives to protect US critical infrastructure and democratic processes. In attendance to support these new initiatives were: Vice President Pence, Energy Secretary Rick Perry, FBI Director Wray, General Paul Nakasone (NSA and US Cyber Command), Kirstjen Nielsen, Secretary of DHS, Chris Krebs, head of DHS’s NPPD (National Protection and Programs Directorate) as well as CEO’s from industry and leaders from academia. Audience members filled the 350-seat auditorium and spilled over into another viewing room down the hall.
So, what was new, if anything? Secretary Nielsen announced the new National Risk Management Center (NRMC), designated to be a focal point within government for private-public collaboration on cyber related risk issues. You can find the fact sheet on NRMC here. …
