The cyber task force has a long to-do list for the incoming president

The report’s effort to use “all elements of national power — diplomatic, economic and, when necessary, military” is a signal that the current state of cybersecurity requires broader and more vigorous efforts, experts told Cybersecurity Dive.

“Many of these issues, unfortunately, have been long-standing issues and there have been incremental improvements, but perhaps not as quickly as some would like,” said Brandon Pugh, director and senior resident member of cybersecurity and emerging threats to R Street. Institute.

A chance to reassess, to adjust priorities

The change in leadership gives the incoming president and lawmakers an opportunity to assess what the outgoing administration has accomplished, where adjustments could be made, and the areas most in need of prioritization.

“I don’t think we should see this as cynical or critical of the past. Maybe it’s a different belief in how we get to the same result,” Pugh said…

The recommendations, which largely repeat modified versions of efforts already underway, are a tacit acknowledgment that the work of cybersecurity is never done.

“From a security point of view, this is actually a good thing to see. The job is never done, because we will never have 100 percent security,” Pugh said. “This should be an iterative and ongoing process.”