Thompson Introduces
Legislation to Protect Federal Computer and Information
Systems
Wednesday, October 9, 2002
Washington, DC - Senate Governmental Affairs
Committee Ranking Member Fred Thompson (R-TN) has introduced
legislation to prevent the lapse of the Government Information
Security Reform Act (GISRA), an important law which protects
federal information systems from vulnerability to computer
attacks by international and domestic terrorists, crime rings,
and hackers.
"According to a recent survey, a
majority of information technology professionals believe a
major attack against the government is likely in the next
year, and even more recognize the gap between the threat of an
attack and the government’s preparedness. This is very
telling. We are fighting a new war in a new age on
unconventional fronts. We can not afford to overlook our
nation’s technology infrastructure as we secure our
homeland," said Thompson.
After numerous Governmental Affairs
Committee hearings and General Accounting Office reports
identifying systematic failures of government information
systems, Congress enacted the Government Information Security
Reform Act, which requires federal agencies to develop and
implement security policies. The law also provides the Office
of Management and Budget with the authority to demand from
agencies better plans for improving computer security.
However, this law includes a sunset provision and is set to
expire November 29, 2002. Senator Thompson’s legislation,
S. 3067, repeals the sunset and makes
permanent the Government Information Security Reform Act.
"We must ensure that Federal agencies
continue to protect their assets and prevent hackers and
cyberterrorists from wreaking havoc with citizens’ sensitive
information. Americans trust that their personal information,
such as taxpayer data, veterans’ medical records, and social
security portfolios, will be kept safe. Information security
is too important to let this bill expire." |