Internet Policy Task Force
The Commerce Department Office of the Secretary, leveraging the expertise of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (“NTIA”), the Patent and Trademark Office ("PTO"), the National Institute of Standards and Technology ("NIST), and the International Trade Administration (“ITA”), has created an Internet Policy Task Force to conduct a comprehensive review of the nexus between privacy policy, copyright, global free flow of information, cybersecurity, and innovation in the Internet economy.
Recognizing the vital importance of the Internet to U.S. innovation, prosperity, education and political and cultural life, the Commerce Department has made it a top priority to ensure that the Internet remains open for innovation. The newly created Internet Policy Task Force will identify leading public policy and operational challenges in the Internet environment. The Task Force leverages expertise across many bureaus, including those responsible for domestic and international information and communications technology policy, international trade, cyber security standards and best practices, intellectual property, business advocacy and export control.
Task Force Initiatives
- Privacy (NTIA, ITA, NIST)
- Copyright (PTO, NTIA)
- Global Free Flow of Information (ITA, NTIA)
- Cybersecurity (OS, NIST, NTIA)
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Discussion and Recommendations to the President on Incentives for Critical Infrastructure Owners and Operators to Join a Voluntary Cybersecurity Program
On February 12, 2013, the President issued Executive Order 13636, stating that the “cyber threat to critical infrastructure continues to grow and represents one of the most serious national security challenges we must confront.” The Executive Order sets out a number of steps to address this problem, including calling on the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop a Cybersecurity Framework and the Department of Homeland Security to build a voluntary program “to support the adoption of the Cybersecurity Framework by owners and operators of critical infrastructure and any other interested entities. . .” The Program could include guidance on how to implement the Framework in specific sectors, as well as incentives for companies to align their cybersecurity practices, with the practices and standards specified in the Framework. The President requires DHS, the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Treasury to draft separate reports on incentives to join the Program. The following recommendations are Commerce’s contribution to this analysis of incentives.