Bush signs cybersecurity strategy

National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace

The Homeland Security Department will develop a system to help public and private organizations respond to cyberattacks, according to the final version of the National Strategy to Secure Cyberspace.

The strategy, released Feb. 14 by the Bush administration, details action items based on five priorities outlined last November in response to criticism that a draft of the strategy lacked focus.

The plan includes:

* Creating a national security response system, including expanding the government's Cyber Warning and Information Network to the private sector.

* Developing a national security threat and vulnerability reduction program, including directing the Homeland Security Department to work with the private sector and conduct assessments of infrastructure and systems.

n Securing the government through methods such as the administration's e-Authentication e-government initiative and conducting a comprehensive review of whether to expand the Defense Department's product evaluation requirements to civilian agencies.

n Fostering international cooperation and identifying international threats, including conducting a study to examine how to improve coordination among law enforcement and national security and defense agencies worldwide.

Many in industry approved of the final strategy's sharper focus. The Computing Technology Industry Association applauded the recommendations to increase information security training and certification, while the Information Technology Association of America praised the focus on cooperation and information sharing between government and the private sector.