IP: Congress scrutinizes computer security, by CQ's Derek Willis

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> From: Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>
>
> *********
>
> From: Derek Willis <derek () thescoop org>
> To: <declan () well com>
> 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.
>
>
>
>
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