FC: Weekly column: Washington's new role in computer security

[Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>]

http://news.com.com/2010-1069-966164.html

   Perspective: Say hello to Big Brother
   By Declan McCullagh
   November 18, 2002, 7:05 AM PT

   WASHINGTON--Like it or not, the proposed Department of Homeland
   Security firmly establishes Washington's central role in computer and
   network security.
   
   When approved by Congress, perhaps as early as Monday, the massive new
   bureaucracy will become--among other things--the nation's
   clearinghouse for developing plans to prevent electronic attacks,
   thwart them when they occur and release advisories to the public.
   
   According to the version of the bill approved by the House last week,
   department analysts will have security clearances and work so closely
   with the CIA, FBI, National Security Agency and the Defense
   Intelligence Agency that they'll even share personnel.
   
   The department will mash together five agencies that currently divvy
   up responsibility for "critical infrastructure protection." Those are
   the FBI's National Infrastructure Protection Center, the Defense
   Department's National Communications System, the Commerce Department's
   Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office, an Energy Department
   analysis center and the Federal Computer Incident Response Center.

   [...]



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