Cybersymposium features security rock stars

Internet registrars accused of supporting online criminals, Australia considers cyberczar

Cybersecurity Update – Tune in weekdays at 30 minutes past the hour for the latest cybersecurity news on The Federal Drive with Tom Temin and Amy Morris (6-10 a.m.) and The DorobekInsider with Chris Dorobek (3-7 p.m.). Listen live at FederalNewsRadio.com or on the radio at 1500 and 820 AM in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

  • Big cyber-doings are setting up at the Reagan Building this morning. At Symantec’s Government Symposium today, two panels about cyber power feature an “unreal assortment of speakers”, according to The Atlantic. The first, called “Cyber Warfare, Cyber Espionage and Cyber Crime: What’s the Difference?”, is hosted by General Dynamic’s chief cyber guy, Matt Stern, and includes the cyber section chief of the National Counterintelligence Executive. Also: the senior adviser to the Air Force for intelligence and cyber operations. Another panel is about “attribution” — who done it — featuring Nadia Short of General Dynamics, Bruce McConnell, a legend in the cyber field who advises DHS, Jamie Gorelick of Jamie Gorelick fame, and Mark Bregman, Symantec’s CTO. Also on the program: Keynote speaker Howard A. Schmidt, Special Assistant to the President and Cybersecurity Coordinator, Executive Office of the President, and Tom Temin, moderator, co-anchor of the Federal Drive, and host of the Federal Security Spotlight on Federal News Radio.
  • A new study shows that Internet Registrars, which sell and maintain Internet domain names, are also indirectly protecting criminal clients. The study, conducted by the KnujOn research group, found that more than 150 accredited Internet Registrars were not taking action to investigate complaints on registered domains. That’s a requirement by the international organization that accredits them. The study also found the domain companies were blocking access to client information.
  • Australia might be ready to appoint a so-called “cyber czar” to oversee internet security. The group that represents Internet Service Providers has backed the move, which was recommended by a federal parliamentary committee. However, the report has sparked new debate in Australia over how much government intervention is needed to stop criminal activity online. ABC.net reports one recommendation is to require ISPs to tell users if their computers are infected, and require users to install antivirus software. A voluntary code is already in place, and the Internet Industry Association says for the government to get involved is premature.

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