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I don't get too bent over politics very often but I do get worried when I can very plainly see some BS brewing. The Patriot Act was one of the most horrific pieces of legislation ever passed to give the government an unrealistic amount of control - now the Cybersecurity Act of 2009 could put the nail in the coffin! This isn't just Obama, and it's not just Bush - it's BOTH! Please please please read.
So I wrote my senator:
After reading the entirety of the S773 I must say that I am outraged and concerned beyond comprehension! The verbiage of the bill is such that without any due process of law the government may intercede into corporate and private networks and restrict or remove access and have complete search/seizure rights to corporate data. What constitutes a cybersecurity emergency is not only vague and tragically subjective, but ill formed conjecture proposed by people who clearly have zero idea regarding technology. Protecting 'cyberspace' is typically done by best practices and the certification process of service providers. If you are going to do transactions with a bank or be able to do online transactions with another entity, it is the right of the originator to only do business with businesses that pass COBIT, ITIL, SOX or even just SAS70 compliance certifications. The same logic that applies to hiring a licensed and insured contractor to do improvements to your house should apply to your ability to do business with bonded institutions. No certifications regarding network security, then you don't do business with them - but it is the choice of the group wanting to do the transaction.
Aside from the errant slap in the face to freedom of speech, and the disturbing continuation and extension of the worst parts of the Patriot Act. The safety of our country is hugely important, and I do wholeheartedly agree - but the protection of our freedom is paramount. I would think that most of your constituents would agree that we should not give up our freedom for a perceived and ill-represented protection from something that only gives extended rights to the government to intercede where they should have no jurisdiction.
He who gives up freedom for safety deserves neither - Ben Franklin
Thank you for your consideration,
Chris DiGanci
And this is what I got back from Saxby Chambliss:
Dear Mr. DiGanci:
Thank you for contacting me regarding S. 773, the "Cybersecurity Act of 2009." It is good to hear from you.
S. 773 was introduced on April 1, 2009 and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. This legislation would secure cyber communications in the United States to protect the free flow of commerce with global trading partners and defend against disruption of the internet and intranet communications.
Today there are increasing threats of espionage over the internet that threaten our national security. This bill would develop a fully integrated and coordinated public-private partnership to enhance cyber security. Additionally, it would establish the Office of National Cybersecurity Advisor to coordinate among the intelligence communities, civilian agencies, and the President. This new office would have the authority to disconnect a federal or critical infrastructure network from the internet if they are found to be at risk of cyber attack.
I understand your concerns about the government controlling different aspects of the internet. Should this legislation come before the full Senate, I will keep your thoughts in mind.
If you would like to receive timely email alerts regarding the latest congressional actions and my weekly e-newsletter, please sign up via my website at: www.chambliss.senate.gov. Please let me know whenever I may be of assistance.
*sigh*
You get the feeling that nobody A) knows what is going on B) gives a shit?
So I wrote my senator:
After reading the entirety of the S773 I must say that I am outraged and concerned beyond comprehension! The verbiage of the bill is such that without any due process of law the government may intercede into corporate and private networks and restrict or remove access and have complete search/seizure rights to corporate data. What constitutes a cybersecurity emergency is not only vague and tragically subjective, but ill formed conjecture proposed by people who clearly have zero idea regarding technology. Protecting 'cyberspace' is typically done by best practices and the certification process of service providers. If you are going to do transactions with a bank or be able to do online transactions with another entity, it is the right of the originator to only do business with businesses that pass COBIT, ITIL, SOX or even just SAS70 compliance certifications. The same logic that applies to hiring a licensed and insured contractor to do improvements to your house should apply to your ability to do business with bonded institutions. No certifications regarding network security, then you don't do business with them - but it is the choice of the group wanting to do the transaction.
Aside from the errant slap in the face to freedom of speech, and the disturbing continuation and extension of the worst parts of the Patriot Act. The safety of our country is hugely important, and I do wholeheartedly agree - but the protection of our freedom is paramount. I would think that most of your constituents would agree that we should not give up our freedom for a perceived and ill-represented protection from something that only gives extended rights to the government to intercede where they should have no jurisdiction.
He who gives up freedom for safety deserves neither - Ben Franklin
Thank you for your consideration,
Chris DiGanci
And this is what I got back from Saxby Chambliss:
Dear Mr. DiGanci:
Thank you for contacting me regarding S. 773, the "Cybersecurity Act of 2009." It is good to hear from you.
S. 773 was introduced on April 1, 2009 and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. This legislation would secure cyber communications in the United States to protect the free flow of commerce with global trading partners and defend against disruption of the internet and intranet communications.
Today there are increasing threats of espionage over the internet that threaten our national security. This bill would develop a fully integrated and coordinated public-private partnership to enhance cyber security. Additionally, it would establish the Office of National Cybersecurity Advisor to coordinate among the intelligence communities, civilian agencies, and the President. This new office would have the authority to disconnect a federal or critical infrastructure network from the internet if they are found to be at risk of cyber attack.
I understand your concerns about the government controlling different aspects of the internet. Should this legislation come before the full Senate, I will keep your thoughts in mind.
If you would like to receive timely email alerts regarding the latest congressional actions and my weekly e-newsletter, please sign up via my website at: www.chambliss.senate.gov. Please let me know whenever I may be of assistance.
*sigh*
You get the feeling that nobody A) knows what is going on B) gives a shit?
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