Note: I’ve had three other letters to the editor published by the Wall Street Journal. Sometimes there was a delay of several weeks. It has been 3w3d since I sent my email, so I am self-publishing my letter.
From: Benjamin Slivka
Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2025 10:50 AM
To: ‘wsj.ltrs@wsj.com’ <wsj.ltrs@wsj.com>
Cc: reports@wsj.com
Subject: RE: It’s Time for the Government to Get More Involved in Cybersecurity (March 22, 2025 10:00 ET)
Survival of the Fittest Is Best Cyberdefense
Judging from Professor Shackelford’s essay “It’s Time for the Government to Get More Involved in Cybersecurity” (March 22), he does not know much about software, biology, evolution, or the history of government ineptitude. Why is biology important? Because cyberattacks are very similar to infectious diseases. That is why experts borrowed terminology from biology: virus, worm, infection, quarantine, evolve, etc.
Detecting and preventing cyberattacks is a never-ending game of Spy-vs-Spy and Whack-A-Mole. Hackers around the world regularly shame the AIDS virus with their ability to identify and exploit computer vulnerabilities. Burdensome new regulations combined with slow-moving, bureaucratic government are no match for such nimbleness! The way government handled the COVID pandemic is a very cautionary tale.
Instead, government should get out of the way and allow American technology companies to continue to innovate and defend themselves and their customers. An evolutionary, free market “survival of the fittest” defense is best.
Benjamin W. Slivka
Clyde Hill, WA
(During his 14 years at Microsoft, Mr. Slivka led the development of the first three versions of Internet Explorer.)
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