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S.S.R.C. Intelligence Report～The U.S. 2016 Election Race –The Candidates and Cybersecurity～

Hitachi Systems, Ltd.
Security Research Center© Hitachi Systems, Ltd. 2016. All rights reserved.

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1. About this publication

This publication is a publicly available product on the Hitachi Systems Security Research Center
website, SSRC(Shield Security Research Center). The website also hosts back-issues(note-inJapanese), SSRC research results among other documents,SSRC:http://www.shield.ne.jp/ssrc
2. Times of use

This publication is produced by Hitachi Systems for informational purposes, Hitachi Systems cannot guarantee against mistakes or fails. Further, Hitachi Systems can not take any responsibility forthe manner in which information in this publication is used. The information in this publication wastaken at a specific point in time. Thus, there may be cases where information becomes outdated.
-Reproductions of this publication in part or in its entirety is prohibited under Japanese CopyrightLaw.

© Hitachi Systems, Ltd. 2016. All rights reserved.

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3. The U.S. 2016 Election Race – The Candidates and Cybersecurity

As the U.S. enters 2016, the approaching election this November continues to dominate news
headlines. Both Democrat and Republican candidates are competing fiercely to earn their Parties'
nomination to lead the U.S. as Commander in Chief. In numerous debates, news programs and othermedia we have heard their positions on issues such as terrorism, the economy, immigration, andinternal domestic issues like guns and race relations. However, one topic that has not risen to thesame level is the candidates' stance on U.S. cybersecurity.
Still, regardless of whether or not it emerges as a hot campaign topic, one can expect that the nextpresident will certainly confront the issue. How might our next president set cybersecurity policy, orrespond to a major cyber event? Among the major candidates, Democrat Hillary Clinton andRepublicans Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio do address it as part of their platforms (lower polling Jeb
Bush even include a full cybersecurity plan as part of his platform). Still, one can determine how
certain candidates might deal with cyber based on their positions on broader issues such as defense
and commerce.
The good news is regardless of which candidate is elected, Democrat or Republican, there will
likely be strong support from the executive branch in supporting security cyberspace initiatives,
even if candidates motives for doing so differ. Though there are differences in the philosophies on
how to provide prosperity for America both provide incentive for the next President to improveupon, or at least continue current efforts in cyberspace.
On the Democrat side, Hillary Clinton discusses the threat of cyber attacks within her nationalsecurity proposal, stating she will “leverage the work of the public and private sectors...tostrengthen security... “ within cyberspace. Additionally, she includes in her infrastructure plan a goal
to connect all households to the internet by 2020, as well as, invest in public Wi-Fi. These plans, ifrealized, would indirectly create a need for greater cyberspace security and safeguards. Thus,
Hillary Clinton would likely be a strong supporter of cyber security initiatives and policies andfurther invest in the cyber security enterprise.
Bernie Sanders, Clinton's chief competitor for the Democratic nomination, does not address cyberwithin his chief proposals. However there is certainly a likelihood of strengthening thegovernment's cyber capabilities within his national security priorities. Chiefly because Sanders, aswould-be Commander in Chief, calls for a strong defense, but states that military force should be alast resort. It is possible that he would look to cyber capabilities as a safer and non-kinetic option,
keeping military forces out of harm’s way. Thus, even a reduced Defense Department might seeincreases in operating budgets for cyberspace. Additionally, like Clinton, Sanders also calls forbuilding better access to broadband in America, particularly in rural areas. Again, any increase ininternet access to the American population would likely create a second-order effect ofstrengthening and investing in the cyber security enterprise.
As for Republican candidates, the party's long-held push for a strong national defense should beexpected to produce similar support for cyber as a tool for national security. Candidate Marco
Rubio's platform calls for public-private information sharing and a harsh response to “internationalcyber attacks on American citizens, businesses, and governments.” Rubio, clearly is a supporter ofcyber security and is expected to implement measures to boost the cyberspace security and defense
capabilities if he were elected. As for other candidates such as Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, it issafe to assume that a similar policy on cyber-attacks would be adopted by either candidate’s
prospective administration as they are both hardline supporters of defense policies.
Where Democrats may add an additional boost for cyber in their calls for infrastructure build up,
Republicans' other non-defense platform that includes a role for cybersecurity is their championingof economic freedom. Cruz and Rubio highlight internet freedom in their economic plans; and as a
© Hitachi Systems, Ltd. 2016. All rights reserved.

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key platform for economic activity, security would play a major role in ensuring a safe and reliableinternet. Although in this initiative, rather than direct government investment, look for a Republicanpresident to support cyberspace's role in the economy through less regulation as well as incentives
for private industry to do the legwork.
A long process remains before each party chooses their presidential nominee. Cyber may emerge
as a hotter topic as the campaign field narrows, particularly should 2016 see another major cyber
event such as the Sony hacks or Office of Personnel Management data theft. Nevertheless, though
the manner in which it takes place may differ, expect the importance of cybersecurity to growregardless of who succeeds President Obama next January.

(*)Sources: Candidates’ Official Websites
Author: Patrick Tibbals is a Mike Mansfield Fellow and U.S. Air Force Officer studying
Cybersecurity in Tokyo Japan. He is currently placed with Hitachi Systems' Cybersecurity
Research Center. The views in this report are his own and do not reflect the positions of the Mike
Mansfield Foundation or United States Government. (Date: January 15 2016)© Hitachi Systems, Ltd. 2016. All rights reserved.

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