Feds reassure firms: We won't prosecute when you share cyberthreat info
The Justice Department and the FTC issue a joint statement to allay concern that antitrust action might be triggered in Washington if companies share threat Information.
Companies can share cyberthreat information with competitors and need not worry about getting hauled into court on antitrust grounds.
In a joint statement Thursday, the US Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission allayed concern among private entities who might be hesitant to share cyberthreat information because they've been counseled that sharing such info among competitors might set off antitrust alarms.
For the private sector, this has been a fine line to tiptoe around, since certain information-sharing agreements between rivals might trigger concerns about collusion. But the agencies said sharing cyberthreat information was "highly unlikely to lead to a reduction in competition and, consequently, would not be likely to raise antitrust concerns."
"We all recognize the critical importance of protecting our nation's networks," said Assistant Attorney General, Bill Baer. "And we also know that this can be done in legitimate and lawful ways."
Indeed, the government gave its blessing to more sharing of cyberthreat information, which it said can help deter cyberattacks while improving the nation's networks of information and resources.
"If companies are not sharing such information as part of a conspiracy of the type that typically harms competition," the agencies said, "the rule of reason analysis would consider the valuable purpose behind the exchange of information."