Technologists should seek out government posts because it gives them the opportunity to affect public policy, which often affects their jobs, Felten said.

Even if technologists don't attain positions of direct authority, their increased presence will incur a rise in "soft power," or influence for their points of view, according to Felten. People in other disciplines, such as economists, have been successful in gaining great prominence within government circles, Felten said. "They didn't do that overnight."

However, it's important to have realistic expectations, Felten said. "I am trying to move a very heavy weight, so I should only expect to move it a short distance," he said by way of analogy. "Even if you make an iota of difference, you've done a lot of good in the aggregate."

Felten is on leave from , where he teaches computer science, and is known for his involvement in many high-profile security- and software-related matters, including the successful hacking of a in 2006.

The FTC is a policy-making agency with two main missions, namely consumer protection and antitrust law as well as a civil law enforcement agency, Felten said.