Putnam, Davis, propose Clinger-Cohen amendment

Two lawmakers today announced a bill that would amend the 1996 Clinger-Cohen Act to strengthen computer security in the federal government.

Rep. Adam Putnam (R-Fla.), chairman of the House Government Reform Committee's Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and the Census Subcommittee, along with Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.), committee chairman, said their bill would update Clinger-Cohen to include cybersecurity requirements in all federal information-systems planning and acquisition activities.

The amendment would also give the Office of Management and Budget greater authority for advising agencies on information security.

Davis said the proposed legislation, H.R. 4570, "helps ensure that every federal information system is managed in a way that minimizes the security risks."

The Clinger-Cohen Act requires that agency heads establish reasonable processes to select, manage and control their information technology investments.

In a statement issued late today, Putnam said, "With the many threats out there today, it is vital that we factor in security when making our IT management decisions."