It's disheartening to wake up to yet another headline about a major hack, this time involving the campaign of a former President of the United States. The Trump campaign's claim that Iran was behind the attack, if true, is deeply troubling. But beyond the geopolitical implications, this incident is a stark reminder of a broader and more disturbing reality: we are still failing to protect what is now undeniably critical infrastructure—our data.
For years, the threat of state-sponsored hacking has loomed large, yet here we are again, grappling with the aftermath of another breach. This issue transcends political campaigns and national security; it strikes at the heart of our misunderstanding of what constitutes critical infrastructure in the digital age. Data is as valuable as real currency—perhaps even more so. It serves as the gateway to financial transactions, personal identities, and the functioning of our democracy. Despite its immense value, we continue to trust major companies with this vital resource, even though they have repeatedly demonstrated their inability to safeguard it.
Why do we persist in this misguided trust? Because we’re still clinging to the false notion that bigger is better. We assume that a large company has the resources and capabilities to protect our data. However, size does not equate to security. In many cases, it means the opposite: more data, more attractive targets for attackers, and more bureaucracy that hinders effective protection.
The truth is, we shouldn’t be entrusting our critical infrastructure—our data—to these "major companies" simply because of their size. What we need isn’t the biggest solution but the right solution. The right solution doesn’t just aim to protect data; it’s designed to prevent breaches like the one we’re discussing from happening in the first place.
I’m actively working on a framework specifically designed to address these shortcomings. This framework treats data with the importance it deserves as critical infrastructure. It offers real-time monitoring, advanced threat detection, and seamless integration across sectors, ensuring that cyberattacks are stopped before they can do damage.
We must stop repeating the same mistakes. It’s time to critically evaluate who we trust with our most valuable assets and demand solutions prioritizing security above all else. Because the next time a major hack makes the headlines, it might not just be campaign data at risk—it could be something far more critical to our national and economic security.