Cyber center planned

Draft National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace

The Bush administration last week proposed creating a national cyberspace response center to help federal, state and local governments, as well as the private sector, detect cyberattacks.

The proposal is included in five priorities that the President's Critical Infrastructure Protection Board is considering as part of its draft National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace, said Richard Clarke, board chairman.

The center would detect incidents, issue alerts, share information and provide assistance to start fixes, if necessary.

The priorities also include a plan to secure federal, state and local government networks. The board proposes expanding the Common Criteria security product certification program and using the government's buying power to influence vendors to improve the security of their products.

Other priorities include:

* Creating a national program to examine threats and vulnerabilities in the private sector, including industry and academia.

* Establishing a national awareness and education program for both security specialists and the general public.

* Developing greater international cooperation and addressing national security issues.