CYBERSECURITY.

The Internet being under the control of anybody is not a prized idea; but that is what is being suggested by a new bill in the Senate to empower the President to "essentially turn off the Internet in the case of a 'cyber-emergency'. In other words, President Obama can declare a cybersecurity emergency relating to "nongovernmental" computer networks and make a plan to respond to the danger that the enemies of the United States may pose.

It is believed that the original bill by Senator Jay Rockefeller has been revamped, but the new version still contains language which will whittle away civil liberties of both individuals and private companies and networks operating on the Internet. He has previously said that the legislation "was critical to protecting everything from water and electricity to banking, traffic lights and electronic health records". He has also added, "I know the threats we face,.....Our enemies are real. They are sophisticated, they are determined and they will not rest".

Of course, it is necessary for the government to take precautions to protect the interest of the nation against any kind of threat, foreign and/or domestic, whether it is physical, and in the case of cyberspace, virtual. However, as he President Obama had said before in a May science policy review, which would take cybersecurity in the right direction "by promoting incentives to get the private industry to improve its own security measures"; the government must not reverse that policy.

Although, private industry has the expertise, when it comes to cybersecurity, and not the government; but it (private Industry)must not be allowed to dominate the Internet; and that measures are needed to curb its powers from doing so. Yet, with its know-how, it (private industry) must take the lead in this matter and start working from this instance with the government to stop any such attacks that are being espoused by the proponents of the Senate bill. They (Senators) mean well; but surely, they are not advocating any law that will cripple any person's freedom in the use of the Internet.

Individuals must be concerned with any type of intrusion of the Internet, although its (Internet's) security is essential for people to go "online" without fear of their names and email addresses being listed for any reason, good or bad. They are also aware that the government has the responsibility of safeguarding the use of the Internet, and to stop the enemy from using it against the nation in any way, shape or form; but it (government) must work closely with The Internet Security Alliance, The Business Software Alliance, and many other such entities that are available, to find the solutions for any emergencies, instead of the concept or proposition of putting a "kill switch" in the hands of any one person.