Michael Echols is the former director of the Cyber Joint Program Management Office, National Protection and Program Directorate, at the Department of Homeland Security. In this role, he led two unique cybersecurity information sharing programs: Enhanced Cybersecurity Services (ECS) and Cybersecurity Information Sharing Collaboration Program (CISCP). Echols sat down with HSToday to discuss his book, Secure Cyber Life The Government Is Not Coming To Save You, which is about digital self-defense and having some awareness of your environment to reduce risk.
HSTODAY: What is the genesis of your book thesis, Secure Cyber Life: The Government Is Not Coming to Save You?
ECHOLS: Important systems and networks are being exploited daily and eventually everyone will be a victim of a costly cyber exploit. The problem is there are no financial remedies, social security safety nets for cyber victims or FEMA response systems assisting the individual. This means it is incumbent on every person to reduce their digital risk using best practices that already exist. The only problem is most people believe someone is doing this for them. It is a recipe for disaster considering our…
