IT Group Seeks Anti-Disclosure Clauses In Anti-Terrorism Bills

Current bills being discussed on Capitol Hill ask that companies share sensitive information with the federal government, ITAA equally concerned that such data sharing could lead to potentially damaging public release of confidential information.

by Roy Mark of dc.internet.com [October 10, 2001]

The Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) is calling for the inclusion in anti-terrorism legislation currently before Congress a provision making it possible for companies to exchange confidential or proprietary information on security matters without fear of public disclosure.

Companies have extremely sensitive information about network intrusions, computer viruses and other problems that, when shared, helps others harden their systems and improve their information security preparedness. Without adequate protections from inappropriate disclosure of information shared with the federal government, however, companies are concerned that such information sharing could lead to potentially damaging public release of confidential data.

Fundamental provisions
"Legislation proposed by U.S. Representatives Tom Davis and Jim Moran and U.S. Senators Robert Bennett and John Kyl, should be passed if Congress is serious about improving information sharing between government and industry on cyber security vulnerabilities and countermeasures," said Harris N. Miller, president of the Washington, D.C.-based ITAA. "We are pleased that President Bush has endorsed the concept behind the legislation, and look forward to quick Hill action."

Miller said the bill clarifies and strengthens existing Freedom of Information Act and anti-trust exemptions for information sharing, providing companies with certainty and therefore facilitating information sharing efforts between industry and government. Similar legislative and regulatory approaches were approved to deal with the Year 2000 computer challenge.

At the same time, Miller said that anti-terrorism and anti-money laundering legislation should not become weighed down with "superfluous provisions."

"Piling on anti-Internet gaming and other language merely clouds the critical issues involved and raises the possibility of unnecessary and counter-productive delays," Miller said.

The ITAA provides global public policy, business networking, and national leadership to promote the continued rapid growth of the IT industry. The organization consists of more than 500 corporate members throughout the U.S., and a global network of 41 countries' IT associations.

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