Ten Burning Cyber-Security Questions for the Next Debate

Thus far, if nothing else, the two presidential debates have been breathtaking spectacles of differences of opinion and pomp. I think I would be in fair company to say that most of the topics have been superficially covered and numerous dire topics have yet to really be debated, such as cyber-security. Among the deep and profound questions, I would be eager to understand where the candidates are with regard to the following extremely important topics:

Around Personal Privacy

1. Would you say that there is an explicit or implied Right to Privacy in the U.S. Constitution, and why?
2. At what level over government technical eavesdropping is enough?
3. Is it possible for the government to collect too much information on their citizens? If so, what is that level?
4. Should the government be held responsible if they lose people’s identity or reveal secrets?

Around Cyber-security and the “Availability” of our Government & Livelihood

1. How would you secure the United States from cyber-attacks which could result in lowering our standard living (such as power outages, telephone outages, etc.) or maybe even result in the loss of life?
2. What do you believe should be done about securing self-driving cars from cyber-attacks and what is the government’s role in securing autonomous vehicles, planes, trains and ships?
3. Do you anticipate that cyber-attacks will represent the single biggest risk to the ongoing functioning of the U.S. government today? Why or why not?

[You might also like: Here Are the Specific Ways the 2016 Republican National Convention (RNC) and the Democratic National Convention (DNC) Will Be Cyber-Attacked]

Around Economic Disruption, Education & Investment Incentives

1. What do you think about the level of investment required in the private sector to increase cyber-security? Would your future administration make any changes? If so, what would you change?
2. Do you think that the pace of technical change will have a profound impact on the U.S. economy in a negative way, a positive way, or both? What do you think can be done to minimize it? What role does education play into this space?
3. As everything becomes automated and the need for everything from traffic cops to IRS agents becomes less acute and, perhaps, more secure, what is your opinion on the “Internet of Things?” Do you think it will result in less requirements for government?

In the end, cyber-security problems run the gamut in our lives and what, how, and who will drive the strategy around this going forward are important questions to both ask and gain specific insights to!

Please join me in raising these, and other, questions to the forefront for the last and final debate!!