Cyber Security versus Personal Privacy

The Homeland Security Department released a white paper assessing the potential privacy implications of a new Pentagon-DHS joint cybersecurity services pilot initiative that builds upon a previous cooperative pilot program introduced last year. The initial pilot shared classified information directly with members of the defense industrial base to bolster the nation’s cyber defenses. JCSP, run through the US Computer Emergency Readiness Team in DHS’ National Cyber Security Division, will share additional information—such as IP addresses, files, or e-mail headers—to help industry detect and mitigate cyber threats, according to the white paper. Because it is possible the new pilot initiative might, in the process, transfer personally identifiable information, such as e-mail addresses, that don’t actually add any value to preventing a cyber threat, DHS officials said they will conduct the privacy impact assessment.