Cybersecurity, the Public/Private 'Partnership,' and Public Goods

Abstract

In cyberspace public and private actors often do not coordinate well together. The challenge for the Federal government is how to integrate its efforts with those of the private sector. To date the results have been less than stellar, at least in part because of private sector resistance to the concept.

This paper explores the nature of public/private cooperation in cyberspace. It begins by examining two of the foundational issues relating to that cooperation – the efficacy and economics of cybersecurity. It then addresses the existing legal and policy architecture that is thought to govern public/private cooperation through information sharing. The paper turns to some observations regarding the government’s role in providing for a “common defense,” and then concludes with some thoughts on the government’s ability to regulate the cyber domain to control for externalities.