Insights Intelligence

A common language is needed around cyber threats, says Jim Richberg, former National Intelligence Manager for Cyber and advisor to the Director of National Intelligence on cyber issues. He talks about how to turn cyber intelligence into actionable information. Lacking good metrics is the "greatest Achilles' heel of cybersecurity," he says. He cautions that while artificial intelligence and machine learning generate a lot of buzz, we have yet to understand the technology's full potential.

Our devices are increasingly connected through the Internet of Things (IoT). What are the emerging risks associated with this connectivity? Adam Isles, a principal at The Chertoff Group, shares insights about the IoT environment and the need for standards in this space. He calls for security standards to be seamlessly integrated into the software development lifecycle. 

What is blockchain technology and how is it applied? Alan Cohn, a blockchain and cryptocurrency expert with Steptoe, explains the ins and outs of blockchain, its strengths as a security technology, and the landscape for oversight and regulation. He discusses blockchain's potential and how companies are using it to innovate.

Which laws govern data in cyberspace and how do these issues evolve when conflicts happen? Chris Painter, a globally recognized leader in cybersecurity and cyber policy, discusses how governments can work together to drive good behavior online and set norms. Although we're not yet at a stage where we have a United Nations treaty for cyberspace, Painter calls for more international cooperation between governments and the private sector. And he warns that there must be accountability for countries that break the rules.

Reputational hits can cost a company and damage a business. What's the role of business intelligence and due diligence when it comes to mitigating risk? The Chertoff Group's Ben Joelson and Brogan Ingstad discuss the evolution of how companies have managed risk and the steps that should be taken – from mining open-source intelligence sources to navigating the Dark Web – to avoid reputational damage.

A cyber-enabled economic warfare (CEEW) attack designed to undermine America's strength would have far-reaching strategic and economic consequences.  Should such an attack occur, how would the U.S. government and private sector respond and what would they ask and expect of each other in the immediate aftermath?  Dr. Samantha Ravich, chairman of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies' Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation and David London, a senior director at The Chertoff Group, discuss what happened when senior leaders from the public and private sector came together to plan for such a scenario. They highlight the inter-dependencies in our economy and how we can work together to build resilience.

We often focus on cybersecurity, but physical security is just as important. How do companies take the lessons learned from organizations that have experienced tragedies and implement them to keep employees safe? The Chertoff Group's Ben Joelson and Scott Gibson discuss technologies that could be part of the solution, and what happens when physical security and cybersecurity merge.

What happens in the first 24 hours after an organization experiences a crisis? Siobhan Gorman, a partner at the Brunswick Group, talks about the playbook that every organization should have in place before an incident occurs. She discusses the implications for both internal and external communications, how to involve the CEO, and the role of social media in these situations.

Drones have become ubiquitous for a number of commercial and consumer purposes. But what happens when drones land in the wrong hands? The Chertoff Group's Ben Joelson and Phil Pitsky Vice President of Federal Operations for airspace security company Dedrone discuss the challenges and threats that drones can pose and what can be done under current law to protect from potential risks.

The current security clearance process is antiquated and should be modernized. Chuck Alsup, President of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA), and Chertoff Group Principal Charles Allen, discuss the growing momentum to reform the security clearance process. They talk about how the government and private sector can work together on standards to build a trusted workforce. Both are optimistic that change will happen to overhaul the security clearance process.