Cyber Attacks: Removing Roadblocks to Investigating and Information Sharing

Citation
Cyber Attacks: Removing Roadblocks to Investigating and Information Sharing (2000) (full-text).

Overview
This Congressional hearing examined various roadblocks to the protection of U.S. information systems from cyber attacks.

The latest attacks on eight well-known Internet sites like eBay, Yahoo, and CNN raised public awareness, and served as a wake-up call about the need to protect critical computer networks. Catching and punishing those who commit cyber crimes is essential for deterring future attacks. Law enforcement must be equipped with the resources and authorities necessary to swiftly trace a cyber attack back to its source and appropriately prosecute them. One of the impediments to law enforcement in cyber space is the need for security of all parts of the information infrastructure from attack. In order to do that, all individuals, businesses, and agencies with computers must get serious about security. Overall protection from attack necessitates that information about cyber vulnerabilities, threats, and attacks be communicated among companies, and with government agencies. Cooperation among competitors must be considered when trying to create Information Sharing and Analysis Centers (ISACs) in each portion of the private sector. Also, the Freedom of Information Act may need to be updated to encourage companies to share information with the Federal Government. The proposed Shumer-Kyl Bill would modify trap and trace authority so law enforcement will no longer need to obtain a warrant in every jurisdiction through which a cyber attack traveled. It also would remove the current $5,000 minimum in damages for a case to be considered for Federal prosecution; and remove the current 6 month minimum sentence for cyber crimes that has led to lesser serious attacks not being prosecuted. And, finally, it would allow youths 15 or older to be considered for Federal prosecution for committing serious computer crimes.