Security amendment approved

A measure that would make cybersecurity an integral part of information technology acquisition plans survived as part of legislation passed by Congress this week.

The Senate on Dec. 8 passed the 9/11 Recommendations Implementation Act, which was approved by the House the previous day. The bill includes language that requires agencies to include information security in the planning and acquisition provisions of the Clinger-Cohen Act.

President Bush is expected to sign the bill.

"The threat climate is increasingly dangerous and cyber security is an integral element of threat management for federal agencies," said Rep. Adam Putnam (R-Fla.), former chairman of the House Government Reform Committee's Subcommittee on Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental Relations and the Census for the 108th Congress. "This provision will proactively address the current threat environment in cyberspace and the growing computer and network interdependence produced by a worldwide explosion in use of the Internet by requiring information security to be an integral part of the federal acquisition process for the long term."