House Passes Computer Security Bill http://apnews.excite.com/article/20020207/D7HHE8G00.html
02/07/2002 3:32 PM EST By D. IAN HOPPER The House voted Thursday to provide $800 million in grants over the next five years to colleges and research groups to protect the nation's computers against hackers. The initiative comes as the government scrambles to shore up its own security while predicting new threats. "All the tools of our daily lives are connected to and reliant upon computer networks," said House Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y. "A cyber attack could knock out electricity, drinking water and sewage systems, financial institutions, assembly lines and communications." The bill, which passed 400-12, would create new research and education grants at the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology. It was endorsed by several technology trade groups and universities that have lamented the lack of college courses in computer security. Harris Miller, president of the Information Technology Association of America, said the bill is critical to building a larger base of information security professionals and improving information sharing. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., will sponsor a Senate version of the measure within the next two months, Wyden spokeswoman Lisa Finkel said. Almost every federal agency has been criticized by government investigators for lax computer security. Earlier this week, the General Accounting Office - the investigative arm of Congress - faulted the Treasury Department for having simple passwords and giving too much power to employees who didn't need it. "Billions of dollars of payments and collections are at significant risk of loss or fraud," investigators wrote. Securing the nation's infrastructure, from the national power grid to individual computers, became more of a Bush administration priority after Sept. 11. Recently, Microsoft's top security guru, Howard Schmidt, joined White House technology adviser Richard Clarke's staff. While most cyber attacks are confined to harassment and Web site graffiti, security experts predict the assaults will be more dangerous in the future. Last year, the CIA said it knew of three countries - the United States, China and Russia - that are training soldiers to attack and defend targets through the Internet. "In this new age, we must have training both for a new generation of cyber warriors whose most important weapon is not a gun, but a laptop," said Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas. Voting against the bill were Reps. Todd Akin, R-Mo.; Joel Hefley, R-Colo.; Ron Paul, R-Texas; Mac Collins, R-Ga.; Walter Jones, R-N.C.; Edward Royce, R-Calif.; John Duncan, R-Tenn.; Jack Kingston, R-Ga.; Bob Schaffer, R-Colo.; Jeff Flake, R-Ariz.; Charles Norwood, R-Ga.; and Thomas Tancredo, R-Colo. --- The bill is H.R. 3394. --- On the Net: Bill text at http://thomas.loc.gov
