Will Regulations Force ISPs To Handle Security Issues?

from the think-of-the-mess-that-would-cause dept

Earlier this month, we had a post wondering if ISPs should really be responsible for computer security. Obviously, many home users aren't skilled enough to adequately protect themselves -- and many might even look to their ISPs to help them. However, in many cases, it seems like the protection would be too burdensome and often limit perfectly legitimate uses in the name of being extra careful. How about from the corporate viewpoint, though? It seems that some CIOs are sick of spending so much time on computer security issues and would like to see their ISPs chip in and help -- even to the point where some CIOs hope the government regulates the industry to require ISP-based security. The article is quite detailed and gives a balanced and accurate view of both sides of the question, noting how difficult it is to stay up on security issues, but also the many (many, many) problems with regulation. As the article implies, it seems like the market should take care of these things. If people are really demanding that their ISPs secure their connections, then shouldn't ISPs that advertise more secure systems get more business?
Hide this

Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.

Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.

While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.

–The Techdirt Team


Reader Comments

Subscribe: RSS

View by: Time | Thread


  1. identicon
    Sten, 31 Oct 2005 @ 6:53pm

    Will Regulations Force ISPs To Handle Security Iss

    ISPs should in my opinion have nothing to do with users security for the services they offer (I'm only talking about internet access).
    There are lots of people that do not understand the importance of securing their networkDesktop but their ISP should not be accountable for their ignorance.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  2. identicon
    Micah, 31 Oct 2005 @ 7:42pm

    Re: Will Regulations Force ISPs To Handle Security

    This is dumb, This is not unlike a person buying a knife. A knife is a very useful too, probably one of the most useful tools you can get, most people have it, and it's a great thing, but people not being careful cut themselves all the time.

    Is it the knife manufacturer's responsibility to make the knife safe for the consumer at the expense of keeping the knife a useful tool?

    Okay, so maybe that's a stretch, but I'm sick of people legislating safety. The best government is the least government..

    I'll go crawl back into my libertarian hole now.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  3. identicon
    Stinky Old Fart, 31 Oct 2005 @ 10:02pm

    No Subject Given

    Government drafting any security legislation will result in more security problems.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  4. identicon
    computerguymatt, 31 Oct 2005 @ 11:00pm

    Re: Will Regulations Force ISPs To Handle Security

    Im Totaly against ISP's being responsible for user security. The sugestion of that actulay working is completly crazy! If users dont secure their PC its their own problem -- however users realy have no place to turn at the moment for good security info -- I sure dont trust microsoft with security. People should be more focused on creating a place for good security info for the genral public, than on blaming anouther person for not solving our security problems.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  5. identicon
    Anonymous, 1 Nov 2005 @ 1:43pm

    Wrong Layer

    Networks are about connecting. Including the "edge" - the ISP.

    Hosts should protect themselves.

    link to this | view in thread ]


Follow Techdirt
Essential Reading
Techdirt Deals
Report this ad  |  Hide Techdirt ads
Techdirt Insider Discord

The latest chatter on the Techdirt Insider Discord channel...

Loading...
Recent Stories

This site, like most other sites on the web, uses cookies. For more information, see our privacy policy. Got it
Close

Email This

This feature is only available to registered users. Register or sign in to use it.