House bill would boost Commerce agency's role in computer security

Citing the failing grades that government agencies are getting for securing their computer networks, Reps. Connie Morella, R-Md., House Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y., and Rep. Ralph Hall, D-Texas, Tuesday pushed legislation, H.R. 1249, that would turn the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology into the official computer security adviser to federal agencies.

"In today's environment, the intense need for this legislation is evident. We need to plug the many holes in our computer security systems," Morella said.

The legislation also would task NIST with assisting civilian federal agencies in protecting their networks and promoting compliance with computer information security and private guidelines, and responding to unauthorized intrusions.

NIST also would be directed to develop uniform standards for federal computer systems, create a clearinghouse for commercial security products and report annually on the state of federal computer security.

The House is scheduled to vote on the bill Tuesday evening.