Fergie's Tech Blog

Groups Raise Concerns About Cybersecurity Standards

Grant Gross writes on PC World:

Legislation that would authorize the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to create emergency preparedness standards for private industry takes the wrong approach toward cybersecurity, some experts said Tuesday.

Sections of the Improving America's Security Act, which passed the U.S. Senate March 13, and the Implementing the 9/11 Commission Recommendations Act, which passed the House of Representatives Jan. 9, would authorize DHS to create voluntary cybersecurity and other preparedness standards. The Senate version would also authorize DHS to create certification and accreditation programs associated with the standards.

One audience member at an event hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies suggested the standards would be less than voluntary. Companies that don't institute the DHS standards could be sued for negligence after something goes wrong, he said.

posted by Fergie @ 4/24/2007 06:38:00 PM