********* From: Derek Willis <derekat_private> To: <declanat_private> Date: Tue, 2 Oct 2001 12:31:34 -0400 Subject: Computer Security Declan, I wrote this piece for today's CQ Monitor; thought your readers might be interested. Derek Willis CQ MONITOR NEWS COMPUTER SECURITY DRAWING INTENSE NEW SCRUTINY ON HILL By Derek Willis, CQ Staff Writer Oct. 2, 2001 - As public attention remains focused on continuing threats of terrorism and a staggering U.S. economy, some in Congress see new urgency to efforts to protect the nation's computer infrastructure and ensure its reliability in a crisis. Even though the Sept. 11 attacks did not target the communications system or computer networks, it sparked new realization of how vulnerable those systems are. Now key members are exploring responses that range from upgrading computer security at federal agencies to recruiting a National Guard-like team of information technology specialists in major companies nationwide who could help restore critical communication networks in the aftermath of disasters. A House Government Reform subcommittee chaired by Rep. Steve Horn, R-Calif., has repeatedly criticized the state of computer security throughout the federal government since 1996, citing a series of General Accounting Office reports. "The weaknesses identified place a broad array of federal operations and assets at risk of fraud, misuse and disruption," said Joel C. Willemssen, the GAO's managing director of information technology issues, at a Sept. 26 hearing held by Horn's panel. Horn said the attacks demonstrated the need for secure government computer systems. "The nation has now been placed on alert," he said. House Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y., warned in a speech Monday that "computer security research, particularly on security for civilian systems, is an inadequately funded backwater in academia, government and industry." He said the problem has been "exacerbated by battles between security agencies, on the one hand, particularly the secretive National Security Agency, and civilian R&D agencies, over who should be funding what kinds of research." His committee plans a hearing Oct. 10 on the issue. "Our conclusions will be reflected in the information technology bill we were already drafting, which will authorize and improve coordination of computer science programs across the federal R&D agencies," Boehlert said. Others are looking to the private sector for help. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., called for a volunteer "National Emergency Technology Guard" in a floor speech on Sept. 26. Wyden said later that he had contacted companies such as AOL-Time Warner, Intel Corp. and Microsoft Corp. about providing specialists who could reconstruct communications networks in the event of a physical or technological disaster. "They are anxious to help," he said. "They've got the brains and equipment and want to help." Silicon Valley companies also are backing legislation (S 1456, HR 2435) that would allow them to report computer assaults to federal authorities without fear of disclosure and to work together in developing strategies to block such attacks. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- POLITECH -- Declan McCullagh's politics and technology mailing list You may redistribute this message freely if you include this notice. Declan McCullagh's photographs are at http://www.mccullagh.org/ To subscribe to Politech: http://www.politechbot.com/info/subscribe.html This message is archived at http://www.politechbot.com/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------
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