Just as a report on cyber security ordered by U.S. president Obama nears release, security experts are reportedly describing America's defenses as "broken," "childlike," and "embarrassing."

Tim Mather, chief strategist for security firm RSA, told the BBC News that the approach relied upon for years isn't working and he thinks we're seeing a real breaking point in security.

According to the BBC, the security industry is at a crossroads and has a responsibility to alter the way it operates. The time has come to develop new technologies to keep pace with and move ahead of the threats affecting the whole of cyberspace. (Source: bbc.co.uk)

Pressure Over Cyber Security Rises

Pressure over the issue of cyber security has risen over the past few weeks following some high profile breaches, the government's admittance that the country's power grid was vulnerable to attack and reports of spies hacking into U.S. military computers. However, the U.S. government's policies remain shrouded in secrecy.

Larry Clinton, president and CEO of the Internet Security Alliance, says that 80 to 90 percent of cyber security problems can be fixed if businesses follow established best practices. Clinton also believes Congress should look to provide incentives and aid for private businesses towards adopting stronger cyber security practices. (Source: itworld.com)

Surveillance a Distraction?

There is little if any doubt that the security of the Internet needs to be improved.

Cyber attacks are taking their toll on everything and everyone: from banks and credit card companies to government agencies and defense organizations, and many computer users need to be made aware of the risks and taught how to use better security methods.

Better results could also be achieved if the government put as much time and effort into cyber security as they do spying illegally on U.S. citizens and creating domestic terrorists.

Allowing the government to shut down private networks, and potentially monitor traffic on private networks is giving it too much power and it raises questions about free speech in the U.S. (Source: pcworld.com) The government's cyber warfare policies need improvement and the debates need to be open to the public.

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