The article argues that recent executive overreach and politicization have severely undermined established norms of U.S. civil-military relations. To restore professional standards, the incoming Congress must actively exercise its oversight powers, moving beyond mere criticism to demanding transparency in defense policy and personnel decisions. Key reforms include enforcing meritocratic promotion processes, requiring documented justification for senior officer removals, and preventing the partisan use of the military. These actions are crucial for bolstering public trust and ensuring the military remains a nonpartisan instrument of civilian control.
Mandates, money, and the end of voluntary hospital cybersecurity
English Summary
The article argues that the current reliance on voluntary guidance for hospital cybersecurity is failing, evidenced by a dramatic rise in large-scale breaches. Historical data demonstrates that only mandatory standards coupled with significant financial liability—such as the 2013 HIPAA Omnibus Rule—effectively change organizational behavior, while free tools are insufficient. For policy, the analysis recommends a hybrid approach: Congress must mandate standards written by HHS, enforce annual executive attestations and independent audits, and provide timely funding. This structure is crucial for securing critical infrastructure, particularly vulnerable rural hospitals, by establishing real accountability.
中文摘要
本文主張，目前過度依賴醫院網路安全領域的自願性指導方針已然失效，證據為大規模資料外洩事件的急劇增加。歷史數據顯示，只有結合了重大財務責任的強制性標準——例如2013年的《健康保險流通與責任法案》大修規則（HIPAA Omnibus Rule）——才能有效改變組織行為，單靠免費工具是遠遠不夠的。從政策角度來看，本分析建議採取混合模式：國會必須強制要求衛生及公共服務部（HHS）制定標準，並執行年度高層宣誓和獨立審計，同時提供及時的資金支持。這種結構對於確保關鍵基礎設施，特別是易受攻擊的鄉村醫院，至關重要，因為它能建立真正的問責機制。
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