Safeguarding from cyber threats taking a backseat to National Security?

Safeguarding the Personal Data of Their Citizens

Nation block like The European Union (EU) and countries like India and China have passed or are in the midst of drafting laws on Data Protection with the objective of protecting the personal data of their citizens.

Threats on National Security

In December 2017, President Donald Trump signed into law that bans the use of Kaspersky Lab citing the company’s software represented a “grave risk” to U.S. national security.

It was reported in August 2018 that the U.S. government is trying to force Facebook Inc to break the encryption in its popular Messenger app so law enforcement may listen to a suspect’s voice conversations in a criminal probe, a move if successful will allow the government to compel other companies to alter their products to enable surveillance.

Nations in the Five Eyes pact, an intelligence sharing agreement between the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand had in September 2018 called on tech companies to build backdoors into their encrypted products, so that law enforcement will always be able to obtain access. In December 2018, Australia passed new legislation that requires tech companies to hand over user data when requested by law enforcement including building a backdoor into their encryption if the tech companies don't have it.

Origin of WannaCry?

The origin of the WannaCry ransomware that caused havoc around the world in 2017 was alleged to be a tool developed by the National Security Agency (NSA) of the United States. This tool exploits a vulnerability in the Windows Server Message Block. It was hacked by a mysterious group named Shadow Broker and leaked publicly.

In summary, which should take precedent?

Threats from cyber-attacks or national security? Apparently, there is no clear answer.

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Think from a different perspective : let's say you have security guards and cctv at your house premise , this is your area but law enforcement have full right invade your property and collect any data with court summon. Which come first ?? Your security guard or law enforcement ?

Similar to that , GDPR or Australia privacy acts kept the provision for same. National security come first - no doubt. Now problem arise when the leaders are crooked , which is a different story.

From Fazley Rabbi Via LinkedIn 17 Jan 2019

https://www.linkedin.com/in/fazleyrabbi/