Technology Leadership Group Calls Cybersecurity Principles Critical to American Economic and National Security

Technology CEO Council Endorses BRT Cyber Principles

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Private sector steps to strengthen our nation's digital infrastructure combined with new policies and government actions are important to America's national and economic security, the Technology CEO Council said today as it endorsed a series of cyber principles outlined by the Business Roundtable.

"Our nation's commerce, communications and defense are reliant upon a critical digital infrastructure that is largely built and run by the private sector," said Bruce Mehlman, Executive Director of the Technology CEO Council. "It's more important than ever that government and industry leaders work together to ensure its protection."

Technology CEO Council companies generate more than $250 billion in annual revenues and employ more than 700,000 workers. Created in 1989, the TCC advances policies to promote innovation and U.S. competitiveness through technology leadership. The CEOs regularly visit Washington, D.C. to meet with policymakers about issues of importance to the high-tech industry.

"The Business Roundtable deserves credit for taking a leadership role in defining a path forward that the private sector and policymakers can follow to defend our nation's vital digital infrastructure," added Mr. Mehlman. "We look forward to working to advance policies that ensure our nation is well protected."

Cyber attacks are increasing in frequency and severity, according to a 2011 study of businesses by the Ponemon Institute. According to that study, 77 percent of businesses responded that attacks have become more severe while 78 percent said they have become more frequent.

The Business Roundtable unveiled its cyber principles in its new paper, "Mission Critical: A Public-Private Strategy for Effective Cybersecurity." The BRT far-reaching proposals include:

• Steps by our nation's business leaders to institute strong cybersecurity measures to manage risks and create management and board oversight of these risks as well as implement best practices.
• Calls for the administration and Congress to enact smart cybersecurity policies that facilitate new levels of domestic and international collaboration. These policies should be focused on addressing fast-moving cyber attacks and operational partnerships with the private sector.
• Recommendations for dynamic public-private solutions that eschew the common "check-the-box" security approaches too often adopted by default. By harnessing government expertise and private sector experience, the U.S. can build dynamic systems to address shared risks.

Michael Dell, Chairman and CEO of Dell Inc, serves as the Chairman of the Technology CEO Council.  Other TCC members include, Steven R. Appleton, Chairman and CEO of Micron Technology, Inc.; Greg Brown, Chairman and CEO of Motorola Solutions, Inc.; Ursula M. Burns, Chairman and CEO of Xerox Corporation; Paul S. Otellini, President and CEO of Intel Corporation; Samuel J. Palmisano, the Chairman and CEO of IBM Corporation; Michael R. Splinter, Chairman, President and CEO of Applied Materials, Inc.; and, Joseph M. Tucci, Chairman, President and CEO of EMC Corporation.

For more information about TCC and its agenda, please go to www.techceocouncil.org.

SOURCE Technology CEO Council