The agency behind all the futuristic technology our military uses, DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), now wants to turn its expertise toward protecting cyber privacy. The many attacks that have been occurring against government and military agency websites have raised concern that new technology needs to be developed.

Hackers are constantly one or two steps behind changes used in the current technology. A new safeguard is built, and then broken before long. DARPA wants to find ways to protect cyber data that is more advanced and offers a greater level of protection.

Recent massive data thefts involving cyber-attacks on businesses and hospitals have caused large amounts of data to be exposed to the public. DARPA is also stating that there is too much data at stake, which makes it infeasible for individuals or people to try and protect and control it.

Steps are being taken to increase the average person’s protection over their personal data. Just last month the White House created the Privacy Bill of Rights. This document requires businesses that collect data to inform their customers about how they protect their personal data and privacy. Companies are also required to inform their consumers about what control they have over their private data.

In order to give the project a kick start, the military will meet with industry experts on March 12, 2015 and brief them about their new program, called Brandeis. The name Brandeis was selected because Louis Brandeis was a lawyer who first coined the term “right to privacy” in 1890. The term was made in response to a new instantaneous camera that was capable of recording personal information in ways previously unknown.

Cyber security has been made a priority in the White House and it has created initiatives to provide methods and tools to protect personal, business, and government information. It also needs to be strong enough to stop an enemy’s ability to close down our networks and steal trade secrets.