Good idea - but let's focus on causal factors not symptoms

Public Domain

I’ll always call balls and strikes fairly. This Biden issuance is long past due.

I was on several initiatives where port security was looked at. Port Security from a Cybersecurity and security from the autonomous threat perspective. Was it a DHS Mission, a Coast Guard Mission, FBI, or a Navy Mission? All four groups would point to the other groups. It was hours of endless fun in EEOB.

This Biden issuance is good, but addresses symptoms, not causes.

80% of port cranes are from ZPMC in China. ZPMC is the flagship company in this sector for Chinese influence operations. Low price is the entry strategy, prices go up after ZPMC dominates, and it's a nifty cyber access point. These cranes aren't just cranes, they are IP endpoints on the worldwide collection platform for China. The cranes can do crazy things on demand.

This is a good start, but being the former Director of Cybersecurity Policy, Strategy, and International Affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, I know an intellectual Disneyland for bureaucrats when I see one.

This Biden issuance is needed, but is a cyber policy jobs program in perpetuity. Something for “cyber experts” to fret about endlessly. Let’s address causal factors not symptoms.

When Trump is back in office, we can take this good start and turn it into Action, Action, Action. Job one is to bring the manufacturing of these cranes back to America. This will take care of 80% of the Cybersecurity threats. Then we can focus on that pesky 20% of remaining cybersecurity issues.

ColRetJohn Substack