The government needs to stay focused on first rescuing data trapped in older systems and then establishing the basic framework for widespread search and communications functions. Exotic, automated intelligence forays would be gravy atop such basic achievements, which by themselves would . . . . The government needs to stay focused on first rescuing data trapped in older systems and then establishing the basic framework for widespread search and communications functions. Exotic, automated intelligence forays would be gravy atop such basic achievements, which by themselves would dramatically improve agencies' ability to work more efficiently -- on their own and together. In the wake of September 11, the federal government's technology infrastructure is not only backward but may also be downright dangerous. Any doubts about that were cleared up by with FBI Director Robert Mueller's recent testimony before the Senate. Mueller revealed that the bureau was unable to search through its electronic documents using anything but single terms. Searching for something as simple as, say, "flight schools" in agent files would confuse the computer -- even though such search capability has long been the available to anyone who staggers into an Internet cafe from Delhi to Des Moines. What's the problem? The FBI -- and much of the rest of the federal government -- has unwisely chosen to build its technology atop specialized software that's hard to use and expensive to maintain and update. Staying out of the commercial-software loop, where malicious hackers share information about programs' vulnerabilities on the Internet, was an effort to maintain security through obscurity. The link for this article located at BusinessWeek is no longer available. . The government needs to stay focused on first rescuing data trapped in older systems and then establ. government, needs, focused, first, rescuing, trapped, older, systems, establ. . Anthony Pell
Some forms of illegal hacking would be punished by life imprisonment under a proposal that Congress will debate on Tuesday. A House Judiciary subcommittee will consider the Cyber Security Enhancement Act (CSEA), which ups the penalties for computer intrusions, funds . . . . Some forms of illegal hacking would be punished by life imprisonment under a proposal that Congress will debate on Tuesday. A House Judiciary subcommittee will consider the Cyber Security Enhancement Act (CSEA), which ups the penalties for computer intrusions, funds surveillance research and encourages Internet providers to turn over more information to police. CSEA, sponsored by Crime Subcommittee chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas), is one of Congress' more recent responses to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Smith introduced the bill in December 2001, saying that it will "combat cybercrime and cyberterrorism and send the signal that if you engage in cybercrime or cyberterrorism, you will be punished." The link for this article located at Wired is no longer available. . Some forms of illegal hacking would be punished by life imprisonment under a proposal that Congress . forms, illegal, hacking, would, punished, imprisonment, under, proposal, congress. . Anthony Pell
Get the latest Linux and open source security news straight to your inbox.