Navigating the Digital Frontier Cyber Command Legal Conference Tackles Big Data, Big Questions.
The 2024 U.S. Cyber Command Legal Conference brought together legal experts, government officials, and industry leaders to grapple with the complex legal and policy challenges posed by the ever-evolving digital landscape. With the theme ‘Big Data, Big Questions: Balancing National Security, Privacy, and Civil Liberties,’ the conference explored the critical interplay between national security, individual rights, and the vast amounts of data collected in the digital age.
Opening Remarks Set the Stage:
Army Col. Pete Hayden, the staff judge advocate/general counsel of U.S. Cyber Command, kicked off the conference with a powerful message, emphasizing the need for a nuanced approach to navigating the legal and ethical complexities inherent in cyberspace. Hayden highlighted the conference’s focus on critical questions surrounding the balance between national security and individual liberties in the age of big data and artificial intelligence.
Balancing Act: Privacy, Security, and Civil Liberties
The conference featured a captivating panel discussion that delved deep into the complexities of protecting national security while safeguarding individual privacy and civil liberties in the digital age. The panel comprised:
* Lindsay Rodman, Associate Deputy General Counsel for Intelligence of the Department of Defense’s Office of the General Counsel
* Eric Eichhorn, Director of Governance for the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office Policy
* Aaron Mackey, Free Speech and Transparency Litigation Director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation
* Brandon Pugh, Director and Senior Fellow of the R Street Institute
Moderated by Eric Rosenberg, Attorney-Advisor of Cyber Command, the discussion explored a range of critical topics, including:
* Data collection and surveillance: The panelists analyzed the legal frameworks governing data collection and surveillance in the digital age, examining the potential for abuse and the necessity of robust safeguards.
* Encryption and privacy: The panel discussed the challenges of balancing national security interests with the increasing use of encryption for privacy protection, exploring the legal and technological implications.
* Artificial intelligence and algorithmic bias: The panelists highlighted the growing influence of AI in national security, exploring the potential for algorithmic bias and the need for ethical considerations in its development and deployment.
Global Competition and the Law:
A separate panel, moderated by Retired Army Col. Gary Corn, focused on the legal and policy challenges posed by global competition in the cyber domain. The panel featured:
* Alisa Starzak, Vice President of Public Policy of Cloudflare
* Carrie Cordero, Senior Fellow of the Center for a New American Security
* Benjamin Powell, Co-Chair of Cybersecurity, Privacy, and AI Practice of WilmerHale
The panel explored:
* Cyberattacks and international law: The panelists analyzed the evolving legal landscape surrounding cyberattacks and the challenges of attributing responsibility and enforcing international norms.
* Cybersecurity cooperation and national sovereignty: The panel discussed the challenges and opportunities associated with international cooperation on cybersecurity, balancing national sovereignty with the need for collective action.
* The role of private industry: The panelists highlighted the increasing role of private industry in cybersecurity and the need for collaborative partnerships between government and industry.
Moving Forward:
The 2024 Cyber Command Legal Conference provided a valuable platform for thought leaders from government, industry, and academia to engage in critical discussions about the legal and policy challenges posed by the digital landscape. The conference underscored the importance of continued dialogue and collaboration to ensure that national security and individual liberties are balanced in the ever-evolving digital world. As the world continues to become increasingly reliant on technology, the need for thoughtful and responsible legal and policy frameworks will only continue to grow.