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Enhancing Cyber Collaboration: John Powell on the National Cybersecurity Strategy
Presented by Splunk and Carahsoft
John Powell, Area Vice President for US Department of Defense at Splunk, discussed the National Cybersecurity Strategy's pillars, focusing on collaboration for cyber defense. Powell emphasized the partnership between government and industry, particularly in securing critical infrastructure like industrial control systems. He highlighted the challenges posed by private ownership of a large portion of critical infrastructure and the need for effective collaboration among government entities, infrastructure companies, and cybersecurity firms. Powell also pointed out the importance of private sector investment in government-specific solutions, like cloud services, to ensure security and resilience. The discussion also covered the Software Bill of Materials (S-BOM) and the necessity of understanding and addressing software development in foreign nations to safeguard against potential cyber threats.
Key Takeaways
- Critical Infrastructure Defense Requires Collaboration: Successful cyber defense depends on a strong partnership between the government and private sectors, particularly in securing aging systems and network-centric software.
- Challenges of Private Ownership in Cybersecurity: The vast majority of critical infrastructure in private hands necessitates effective collaboration and risk-taking across various stakeholders to ensure national security.
- Government-Specific Solutions by Industry: The cybersecurity industry needs to listen to government requirements and invest in developing products and services tailored to government needs, including transparency in software development and supply chain security.