--- title: "Trade Group Asks for Protection Against Cybersecurity Threats" id: "15335" type: "post" slug: "trade-group-asks-for-protection-against-cybersecurity-threats" published_at: "2013-01-14T19:30:37+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-15T19:28:00+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/01/14/trade-group-asks-for-protection-against-cybersecurity-threats/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/01/14/trade-group-asks-for-protection-against-cybersecurity-threats.md" excerpt: "The Business Roundtable wants more intel on cyberthreats from the federal government in return for stepped-up efforts to increase their cybersecurity infrastructure." taxonomy_category: - "Advocacy" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "C-suite" - "cybersecurity" - "government policy" - "tax policy" - "Technology" - "trade associations" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "C-Level" - "Executive Team" - "For-Profit CEO / President / Owner / Partner" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Executive Leadership" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Trade Group Asks for Protection Against Cybersecurity Threats In a world where every bit of data can be transferred by a simple keystroke, the idea of a cyberattack is a very real—and scary—possibility. The trade group Business Roundtable is making a push for greater cooperation and collaboration with the government, the [Wall Street Journal reported (opens in a new tab)](http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323706704578230080016845860.html) last week, while at the same time maintaining the business community’s opposition to new government-imposed security regulations. > The business of cybersecurity is more like intelligence and counter-espionage than security where you put up physical guns and guards. That’s a very poorly matched defense. “The business of cybersecurity is more like intelligence and counter-espionage than security where you put up physical guns and guards. That’s a very poorly matched defense,” said Ajay Banga, chief executive of MasterCard, Inc., and head of the Business Roundtable’s information and technology committee. In other words: Barriers will do no good unless [you’re aware (opens in a new tab)](http://blog.heritage.org/2013/01/11/businesses-agree-regulation-is-the-wrong-approach-to-cybersecurity/) of what threat is coming—and how. Business Roundtable officials want information from the government on cyberthreats in exchange for tightening up their own security at larger companies. Such a system would require more security clearances for private-sector employees exposed to classified information, and possibly legislation that would outline how sensitive data would be passed between corporations and the government. ### Why now? Cyberthreats to data security, from [WikiLeaks’ release (opens in a new tab)](http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128776573) of more than 90,000 classified military documents to [Iranian cyberattacks (opens in a new tab)](http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444657804578052931555576700.html) on world banks, have heightened concerns about prevention and made more corporations scrutinze their own security measures. The problem is gaining attention worldwide. In a recent development, Singapore beefed up its cybersecurity regimen: An [amendment (opens in a new tab)](http://www.zdnet.com/sg/spore-beefs-up-cybersecurity-law-to-allow-preemptive-measures-7000009757/) to the country’s Computer Misuse Act allows the government to order a person or organization to act against any cyberattack before it’s begun. Penalties for noncompliance are tough: up to 10 years in jail and a $40,000-plus fine. (Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/ThinkStock) [Chloe Thompson](https://associationsnow.com/author/chloe-thompson/) Chloe Thompson is a contributing writer to Associations Now. 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