i2Coalition Urges for Technology-Neutral, Voluntary Best Practices

i2Coalition Co-Founder and Board Chair Christian Dawson released the following statement in response to yesterday’s joint hearing in the Senate of the Commerce Committee and the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee:

“DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano said that, ‘Congress should enact legislation to incorporate privacy, confidentiality and civil liberties safeguards into all aspects of cybersecurity.’ We at the i2Coalition firmly believe there is a right way and a wrong way to go about such legislation. We need a multi-stakeholder approach to all Internet governance issues that embraces differing views in an effort to achieve a reasonable consensus. Any discussion of Internet security must take into account the innovative businesses that continue to provide a safe, secure and reliable place to do business.”

“In his questioning Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Sen. Jay Rockefeller stated that the House legislation (CISPA) ‘doesn’t have much about workforce, standards.’ We agree, and companies like those that make up the i2Coalition – the providers of the nuts and bolts of the Internet – must have a seat at the table in any discussion about the future of cybersecurity. We must work to achieve technology-neutral, voluntary best practices that promote the growth of an open Internet. To be successful, the efforts must be truly voluntary and not a result of heavy-handed ‘incentives’ that effectively compel compliance.”
 
“The i2Coalition last week met with lawmakers and held an event at the Capitol with 16 of our member companies to educate Congress on how the Internet works. Members of Congress responded positively to our message, and we look forward to working with them in a collaborative manner to continue to foster an open and prosperous Internet.”