A man uses a computer at an internet bar in Beijing.05 February 2010
US House passes cybersecurity act
WASHINGTON: The US House of Representatives on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a bill aimed at protecting vulnerable computer networks by funding research and training in cybersecurity.
The Cybersecurity Enhancement Act, passed by a vote of 422 to five, comes less than a month after Google revealed it was the target of a wave of cyberattacks originating in China and threatened to pull out of the country.
US Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair on Tuesday described the attacks on Google as a "wake-up call" about the vulnerabilities of computer networks to attacks that could cripple the US economy.
The cybersecurity act, which was opposed by five Republican congressmen, allocates funding to improve cybersecurity in the federal government and the public and private sectors.
It calls for the development of a skilled workforce, cybersecurity research and development, and public education efforts.
The US Senate is also considering a cybersecurity bill which contains more sweeping measures.
"As our reliance on information technology has increased, so has our vulnerability to cyberattacks," said Representative Daniel Lipinski of Illinois, the sponsor of the bill.
"Cybercrime is a major problem for the government, for businesses, and indeed for every American," Lipinski, a Democrat, said in a statement.
"This bill will increase the security of vital and personal information by strengthening research partnerships among the federal government, the private sector and colleges and universities," he said.
WASHINGTON: The US House of Representatives on Thursday overwhelmingly approved a bill aimed at protecting vulnerable computer networks by funding research and training in cybersecurity.
The Cybersecurity Enhancement Act, passed by a vote of 422 to five, comes less than a month after Google revealed it was the target of a wave of cyberattacks originating in China and threatened to pull out of the country.
US Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair on Tuesday described the attacks on Google as a "wake-up call" about the vulnerabilities of computer networks to attacks that could cripple the US economy.
The cybersecurity act, which was opposed by five Republican congressmen, allocates funding to improve cybersecurity in the federal government and the public and private sectors.
It calls for the development of a skilled workforce, cybersecurity research and development, and public education efforts.
The US Senate is also considering a cybersecurity bill which contains more sweeping measures.
"As our reliance on information technology has increased, so has our vulnerability to cyberattacks," said Representative Daniel Lipinski of Illinois, the sponsor of the bill.
"Cybercrime is a major problem for the government, for businesses, and indeed for every American," Lipinski, a Democrat, said in a statement.
"This bill will increase the security of vital and personal information by strengthening research partnerships among the federal government, the private sector and colleges and universities," he said.
AFP
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