The United States government is stepping up its push for a better sharing arrangement with Internet and IT companies in an effort to shore up its defenses against any potential cyber attack. The Department of Justice also said that it would not be going after companies who share technical information on potential cyber-hacking details. It comes as companies have been reported to be working together by disseminating online data about potential hackers to ensure safety for users.
The DOJ also said that the sharing of data or information does not violate antitrust laws as it is information that is being shared and not revenue. This has been a contentious point in recent months as more and more corporations have begun to share details about users they deem a security concern.
American officials said on April 10 that they would not be looking to prosecute any company for their sharing of information related to cybersecurity, however, many question whether this will allow companies to share other information under the guise of cybersecurity. The officials said they would be monitoring the situation, but would not prosecute for security sharing.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) also weighed in, saying that cybersecurity sharing is a "legitimate" threat and antitrust laws would not be violated if companies decide to share this sort of information.
The Justice Department, however, has put forward a document guiding companies on cybersecurity sharing that would help alleviate any concerns over technical sharing. It comes on the heels of the Heartbleed Bug that has engulfed the sector over the past week, increasing fears that without the sharing of security information, malware and other attacks could increase in the future.
"Some companies have told us that concerns about antitrust liability has been a barrier to being able to openly share cyber threat information with each other. We have heard them," Deputy Attorney General James Cole told reporters.
"And speaking on behalf of everyone here today, this guidance responds to those concerns, lets everyone know that antitrust concerns should not get in the way of sharing cybersecurity information, and signals our continued commitment to expanding the sharing of cybersecurity information."
The question for many in the tech world is how to safeguard against an attack, work with other companies on cybersecurity, all without infringing on personal rights and without creating a pseudo-monopoly on Internet information.
