Description

MassTLC Policy Series

MassTLC is launching a regular policy series for CXOs, GCs, and policy focused roles. This new series will feature relevant topics to the tech industry, allowing for people to share their own experiences, learn from others and network.

Government access to electronic information, whether through legal demands to companies to turn over information or the government’s own surveillance, affects how companies do business and trust in their products and services. With the EU and other countries adopting laws that reflect strong concerns about privacy and data protection, devices and products from US companies could be perceived as more exposed to government access. As part of MassTLC’s policy series, it is conducting a three-part program on government access led by Cameron Kerry, Senior Counsel at Sidley Austin in Boston and former General Counsel and Acting Secretary at the US Department of Commerce.

Series 1 of 3 

What are the Rules for Government Access? - April 3, 2018, 8:00am-10:00am
In response to the Microsoft case in the Supreme Court, Congress passed the CLOUD Act, which provides new rules for cross-border data requests, as part of the spending bill last Friday.  The Supreme Court also recently heard oral argument in the Carpenter case, which challenges the third-party doctrine.  The program next Tuesday will cover these recent developments, discussing their potential impact on companies and whether further legislation or judicial action may follow in their wake.
Featuring: Christopher Fonzone, Partner, Sidley Austin & former Deputy White Counsel
Learn more and register here.

Series 2 of 3

Encryption and “Back Doors” - May 1, 2018, 8:00am - 9:15am
Encryption of data at rest and in transit is growing in importance as a way to guard security and privacy. Meanwhile, Christopher Wray is the latest FBI Director to declare encryption a “public safety issue” and call for built-in government access to encrypted communications.  Some frame this as choice between security and privacy, but the essential choice is about different aspects of security. Are there ways to provide government access without compromising security?   What’s next for the “Going Dark debate?
Featuring: R. David Edelman, Director of the Project on Technology, the Economy, & National Security at the MIT Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Lab and the Center for International Studies, and former Special Assistant to the President for Economic & Technology Policy
Susan Landau, Bridge Professor at the Fletcher School and School of Engineering at Tufts
Learn more and register here.

Series 3 of 3

Government Exploitation of Vulnerabilities - June, 2018, 8:00am – 9:00am
The “Shadow Brokers” is a mysterious group of hackers that has put a spotlight on the government’s use of vulnerabilities to conduct hacking for law enforcement and intelligence. Shadow Brokers was responsible leaking masses of hacking exploits obtained from the NSA, including one that enabled the global Wannacry ransomware attacks last year. The government has promised to disclose security vulnerabilities, but holds on to some for law enforcement and intelligence use. What is the process by which the government discloses vulnerabilities, how are the decisions made, and what can change?
Featuring: Robert Knake, Senior Research Scientist, Northeastern University Global Resilience Institute and former National Security Council cybersecurity director.
Learn more and register here.