U.S. Chamber Calls for Increased Cyber Security Measures

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce called on Capitol Hill lawmakers to give U.S. businesses the necessary incentives to exchange information necessary to guard against cyber terrorism and computer hackers.

"America's digital information and Internet infrastructure are key business assets that must be protected from attack," said Rick Lane, the Chamber's director of e-commerce and Internet technology. "Threats to our cyber security are increasing and we need to coordinate public and private information to reduce the risk of cyber crimes."

The Cyber Security Information Act of 2001 - introduced today by Reps. Tom Davis (R-VA) and Jim Moran (D-VA) - will encourage the secure disclosure and exchange of information about cyber security problems and solutions, according to the Chamber. The bill fosters information sharing between government and industry about cyber security problems, assessments, tests and threats. It gives businesses the ability to share information, while guarding them against antitrust violations, Freedom of Information Act inquiries and other liability concerns for information shared in good faith.

"The business community must be able to exchange critical information regarding the digital information and systems that support the new economy," said Lane. "By working voluntarily with each other and the federal government, our nation will have a more secure and reliable infrastructure and economic system."

Not only are businesses increasingly dependent on computer and Internet systems, but also entire economic sectors are linked by technology - such as energy, air travel, banking, emergency response and national defense.

"Protecting our economic infrastructure means protecting the computer systems and the digital information that supports it," said Lane.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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