Network emergency response and cybersecurity bills could be refer...

is co-sponsored by ranking Republican Allen (Va.), legislation would “provide an organizational structure to quickly locate and mobilize science and technology expertise in times of crisis.” House Science Committee Chmn. Boehlert (R-N.Y.) testified he was “working on introducing” companion bill, measure he said was critical to addressing gaps in cybersecurity preparedness and “ensuring that we have the ability to respond should an attack actually succeed.” Subcommittee heard testimony on Wyden’s cybersecurity R&D bill (S-3394), companion to Boehlert legislation House passed 400-12 earlier this year. Wyden and Boehlert bills would establish academic grant programs through National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) and National Science Foundation (NSF). George Strawn, NSF Asst. Acting Dir.- Computer Information Science & Engineering, said Bush Administration was reviewing S-3394 and expected to submit written comments before May 16 markup. Although Administration “has no position on the bill,” Strawn said “cybersecurity work force” must be bolstered by getting sufficient numbers of academic specialists to train new entrants in that growing field. George Washington U. Prof. Lance Hoffman expressed support for bill, particularly since it emphasized “privacy and risk analysis as important areas of study.” He said bill could be improved by: (1) Allowing grants to be used to fund cybersecurity certificate programs, in addition to funds proposed for undergraduate and graduate programs under bill. That would increase involvement of working professionals who could take classes at night. (2) Giving more discretion to NIST and NSF “in funding extraordinary projects with high risk and high potential.” Setting aside funds for such projects “may lead to new innovative solutions and other advances in information security,” he said.