Cybersecurity: What the Prez Says

There wasn't much detail in the White House's 60-day review of cybersecurity, but President Obama's speech about the review spoke volumes about how important he thinks it is to make the Internet and everything connected to it more safe and secure. Read his remarks here.

Of particular note is Obama's mention of investing more money into research and development, working more closely with private industry and the cybercrime he personally experienced when his campaign email, schedules and policy papers were breeched last year. Companies involved in this space should keep their eyes on the potential for new federal work.

Also notable is the list of of 120 or so high-level honchos who were asked to be present at the President's presentation in the East Room of the White House last week. Among them where his top national security advisers, top officials of the departments of homeland security, energy and treasury as well as the head of the FBI, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the director of the National Economic Council.

President George W. Bush made it seem like cybersecurity was important in the days after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, but that stance rapidly faded away in the walk-up to the war in Iraq and other issues.

Though the substance has yet to come from the White House (it will), Obama is making it clear that cybersecurity - and cybersecurity policy - will be a big and important topic under his watch.