The Legality of Government Critical Infrastructure Monitoring
Mason Rice, Robert Miller, and Sujeet Shenoi (2011), “May the US Government Monitor Private Critical Infrastructure Assets to Combat Foreign Cyberspace Threats?” International Journal of Critical Infrastructure Protection, 4 (April 2011): 3–13.
Abstract: The government “owns” the entire US airspace–it can install radar systems, enforce no-fly zones and interdict hostile aircraft. Since the critical infrastructure and the associated cyberspace are just as vital to national security, could the US government protect major assets–including privately-owned assets–by positioning sensors and defensive systems? This paper discusses the legal issues related to the government’s deployment of sensors in privately owned assets to gain broad situational awareness of foreign threats. This paper does not necessarily advocate pervasive government monitoring of the critical infrastructure; rather, it attempts to analyze the legal principles that would permit or preclude various forms of monitoring.
CMike • September 7, 2011 2:45 PM
If the assets in question are so vital to national security that monitoring and threat interception is needed, then why not federalize the assets in question? (I realize this flies in the face of private ownership of property, but the government long ago crossed that line…)