Innovation

The President's Cybersecurity announcement 5-29 was a game changer for the Internet. For the first time the U.S. Government officially declared the lack of cybersecurity as the Internet's biggest problem.

• It is interesting to note there was instant disagreement with the President's assessment from some in the Web 2.0 world. Speakers at the Computers, Freedom, and Privacy conference in Washington this week said (per Washington Internet Daily) that:
  • "Cybersecurity threats in general are wildly overstated or portrayed as malevolent acts when some of the best known incidents have come through accidents or simple security holes."
• I have been writing this now twelve-part series: "The open Internet's growing security problem" since the beginning of the year, precisely because many continue to deny the growing mountain of evidence from mainstream sources that the Internet security problem is getting worse not better. 
• Fortunately, President Obama gets it.

Here is the latest mainstream evidence of the open Internet's growing security problem.

"Mysterious virus strikes FBI" ZDNet

President Obama's new approach to cybersecurity likely is more of an Internet game-changer than many appreciate. Initial reporting and commentary has been superficial and has not connected dots or analyzed the broader logical implications of this new policy emphasis and trajectory.   

Why is it a game-changer for the Internet?

• First, it formalizes a new leading priority for the Internet.
• Second, it formalizes the lack of cybersecurity as the Internet's leading problem.
• Third, it practically redefines what "open Internet" means.
• Fourth, it practically takes any extreme form of net neutrality off the table. 

Moreover, the new cybersecurity focus will likely have a practical effect on the trajectory of Internet 3.0, which embodies:

• Cloud computing (where security has not been a primary priority by many);
• The Mobile web (where security has always been a very high priority); and
• The Internet of Things (where security will be imperative to prevent theft, intrusion, and sabotage).

I.   Cybersecurity -- New #1 Internet Priority

President Obama said: