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New cybersecurity role for NIST?

House panel wants agency to coordinate international agreements

A bill that would expand the National Institute for Standards and Technology’s role in cybersecurity cleared a House subcommittee today.

NIST would be responsible for developing a plan to coordinate the government’s work with international organizations developing cybersecurity standards under the bill approved by the House Science and Technology Committee’s Technology and Innovation Subcommittee.

The legislation would also have NIST work with agencies, industry and academia to start a public awareness and education campaign on cybersecurity risks, consequences and best practices.

The measure would also require NIST to support the development of technical standards to improve interoperability among identity management technologies and bolster authentication methods of identity management systems. The program would also work to improve privacy protection in identity management systems.

The bill would also update language in an earlier cybersecurity research and development law.

About the Author

Ben Bain is a reporter for Federal Computer Week.

Reader comments

Mon, Nov 9, 2009 Texas

International coordination is necessary to both define acceptable Internet use and responsiblities assist with identifying and sactioning violators. This has been made necessary because of the network attacks and increasing depence on the Internet.

Thu, Nov 5, 2009

Our Cybersecurity efforts should be ours and ours alone. Anytime you involve the international community, you will be involving those who wish to do us harm. Giving away information to a potential enemy is never a good thing. It doesn't matter what level the adversary. A nation, an organization, or an individual that can work their way into the process will be handed the keys to the cyber city. Sharing with your neighbors has its limits.

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