Safeguarding National Security Through Cyber Cooperation

Martha Lewand
International Communications Intern, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Published

July 18, 2024

On July 17, the U.S. Chamber and Trend Micro hosted the Threat Intelligence Forum, featuring insights from U.S. government and cyber industry experts. The forum emphasized that achieving a secure cyberspace—free from ransomware, foreign cyberattacks, and AI misuse—requires a strong collaboration between the public and private sectors.

The forum kicked off with a discussion between Jeffrey Greene, Executive Assistant Director at Cyber and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and Matthew Eggers, Vice President of Cyber, Space, and National Security Policy at the U.S. Chamber. They discussed ways to enhance cyber threat action and preparedness.

Greene emphasized that both the industry and the public sector need to take preventive measures to address systemic risks and vulnerabilities. He urged industry leaders to collaborate with CISA and other government organizations to drive security improvements.

"Work with us as we explore ways to drive security," Greene said. "Tell us where we need to improve, and help us get there."

Evolving Cyber Threats

Laura Galante, Chief Executive and Director of the Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, echoed similar sentiments during a fireside chat with Christopher Roberti, Senior Vice President for Cyber, Space, and National Security Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Galante highlighted the evolution of cyber-attacks since the early 2000s, noting that attackers—from criminals to nation-state adversaries—pose significant threats such as intellectual property theft, foreign intelligence threats, and critical infrastructure disruptions.

To combat these threats, Galante stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in securing critical infrastructure and scaling responses. "The key to responding starts with understanding the gravity of these attacks," she said.

The Role of AI in Cybersecurity

AI and Cyber Threats: Mayra Rosario, Senior Researcher at Trend Micro, discussed how AI is being exploited by cyber attackers to create deepfakes, taint large language models (LLMs), and spread disinformation. However, Rosario also highlighted how AI can be used by U.S. intelligence experts to monitor malicious activities and enhance cybersecurity.

Addressing AI Risks in Critical Infrastructure: Puesh Kumar, Director of the Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response at the U.S. Department of Energy, agreed that while AI is crucial for resilience, it can also be manipulated to poison LLMs and execute cyber-attacks. He emphasized the importance of public-private collaboration in countering these threats.

"The reality is that you don’t have an economy without energy," Kumar said. "We need transparent collaboration, not competition, to protect our infrastructure."

Insights from the FBI: Cynthia Kaiser, Deputy Assistant Director for Policy, Intel, and Engagement in the Cyber Division at the FBI, discussed incorporating private sector insights into the FBI’s operations to prevent foreign cyber intrusions. She spoke with Jon Clay, Vice President of Threat Intelligence at Trend Micro, about joint-sequenced operations to protect essential industries like healthcare and finance.

Working Together on National Security

The U.S. Chamber is committed to upholding economic and national security by fostering public-private partnerships. In a world of evolving cyber threats, collaboration between the public sector and private industry is essential for creating a secure and resilient cyberspace.