Cyber Security vs. Online Freedom

Helle Dale / October 20, 2010

By now most people are familiar with the ongoing debate about how far government should be able to go in monitoring Internet communications. Such was the topic of a recent discussion at the Voice of America building in Washington, D.C. Judging by the remarks of the event’s panelists, especially those of Ambassador Philip Verveer, the State Department’s Coordinator for International Communications and Information Policy, there seems to be a considerable diversity of opinion within the government itself on the issue of cyber security.

There are some very good reasons for the government to put in place good cyber-security policies. The Internet is a cultural, social, and economic engine that acts as the very infrastructure on which most of America operates. But we also know that criminal networks and terrorist organizations often use the Internet for propaganda, operations, and recruitment. (more…)