In “Countering the Cyber Threat,” Shawn Henry and Dr. Aaron F. Brantly argue that the United States’ fragmented approach to cybersecurity is dangerously inadequate in the face of increasingly complex and interconnected digital threats. Drawing lessons from the post-9/11 counterterrorism response, they advocate for a unified, whole-of-society strategy that includes both public and private sectors. The authors propose five steps, which include building national and international consensus on the seriousness of cyber threats, establishing robust, trusted information-sharing networks, investing in skilled personnel to interpret and act on cyber threat data, creating cross-sector liaison networks to coordinate responses, and adopting a collaborative, team-based mindset. They emphasize that cybersecurity is not the responsibility of individual actors alone, but a shared challenge requiring coordinated, strategic action to protect the foundations of modern society.
