Critical Infrastructure Security, Threat Management

US urged to bolster state-sponsored cyberattack defenses for private firms

The U.S. government has been urged by several cybersecurity experts to better defend American firms against state-sponsored cyber threats through stronger regulations, safeguards, and cybersecurity strategy, as well as enhanced collaboration between the public and private sectors, according to South China Morning Post. Addressing state-sponsored cyberattacks should be led by the federal government but the conversation regarding the division of cyber defense responsibilities has not even begun, said Activision Blizzard Chief Compliance Officer Frances Townsend at a Center for the National Interest event. Townsend also called for more federal action regarding intellectual property theft conducted by Chinese state-backed attackers. "I think there also should be a national insurance fund that backstops the private sector a state-sponsored attack," added Townsend, who worked as counterterrorism assistant to former President George W. Bush. The statement comes as lawmakers have been working to consolidate the America Competes Act and U.S. Innovation and Competition Act in the House of Representatives and the Senate, respectively, both of which feature cybersecurity measures.

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