Oh BROTHER...
-"the one good thing that came out of it was the ISP instigated a new policy directive which ensured their users kept their web servers patches and protection updated under penalty of cessation."
First, I believe you meant -INSTITUTED- (meaning to implement) not, "instigated" (meaning to prompt a process, or event).
And, second... this is NOT a "...good thing".
Both politicians, and private business-interests (I.E. Microsoft, the RIAA, the MPAA, etc.) are ABSOLUTELY-DESPERATE for ISPs to be able to control exactly what OSes, applications, "patches" and "updates", etc. ALL Internet-users MUST use and install (in fact, THAT is actually the primary original purpose of "Trusted Computing Initiative", now called the "NGSCB" by Microsoft). And, this scheme ISN'T about increasing "security"... its about CONTROL (plain and simple). This is especially bad since that actually means that external-interests will be able to FORCE us (as consumers, and Internet-users) to use, ONLY, -APPROVED- "Microsoft" (or, "Apple"... whose CONTROL-FREAK-ism has become so painfully-evident ) products (...since, most of the few remaining, MONOPOLY-CONTROLLED/OWNED ISPs in our area are very actively hostile to any other software, such as "Linux", and other "open-source" software). Furthermore, aside from being forced to use the most INSECURE software on the planet (I.E. MS-Windows... which we have personally experienced being repeatedly "hacked" despite being fully-patched, AND running the latest "antivirus" software, AND residing behind multiple "firewalls"... while, our "Linux" boxes have remained absolutely unscathed)... But, Microsoft (and those who have made agreements with them) will have the continual-ability to alter, spy-upon, and eliminate ANY features or control, that we use or may depend upon. ALL at the WHIM of INTERESTS with a proven history of animosity, and even, criminal-intent, towards the consumer/user. Not to mention the dangers of allowing Microsoft to "automatically" install "patches/updates", and alterations to our machines, without our testing and consent.
NO... NOT a... "good thing".