Scaled Back Cybersecuruty

Tue Jan 7 22:25:00 UTC 2003

This may be of interst:

AP: Bush Expected to Sign Scaled Back Internet Security Plan 

Washington, DC -- A new Bush administration plan aimed at improving the
security of key U.S. computer networks will not be as ambitious as
previously indicated, the Associated Press reported on Tuesday. The plan
is being closely watched by network security firms in the DC area. A 
draft
of the proposal, called the National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace,
obtained by the AP contains only 49 of the 86 initiatives of an earlier
version, eliminating such mandates as regular consultations with privacy
experts about civil liberties and a call for corporations to improve
cybersecurity. Instead, it focuses on the security of federal agencies; 
it
also makes clear that the Defense Department can engage in "cyber 
warfare"
should the U.S. be attacked. The job of improving Internet security,
however, would be handled by the new Homeland Security Department, which
would launch test attacks against various agencies and seek to improve
automated systems that operate water, chemical and electrical networks.
Bush is expected to sign the plan in the coming weeks.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A18662-2003Jan6.html