Network Webcurity Wishlist?

breillysf asks: "I am a California-based network security attorney who has been asked by a senior US Senator to compile a list of the most important legal concerns facing network security administrators. He has a good feel for the government security issues (and lack there of), but he is concerned about what is going on in the front lines in the private sector. I thought the Slashdot crowd would have the best feel on the pulse of the current situation. Specifically, if you could ask Congress for help in the area of network and information security, what would you ask for? Or would you tell them to get out of the way?"

"For example, I tried to push for tax incentives for upgrades in network security measures, but the Senator replied that is dead in the water because we are now spending into a deficit. He would rather see insurance companies reward firms with lower premiums for enhanced security. But there are International legal issues, compliance issues, privacy complications, potential negligence liability exposure, lack of federal incident response, FOIA and anti-trust issues with info sharing, conflicting state and federal cybercrime and privacy laws, USA Patriot Act concerns, etc."

Comments

well...

[turbine216]

My network-security wishlist for presentation before Congress:

• Try all Microsoft engineers as domestic terrorists in one of those military tribunals.
• Kindly ask Larry Ellison to get bent.
• Outlaw any Passport and .NET services.

Whaddya think, mr. attorney? Can we make this happen??

You're an attorney

[cmclean]

I am a California-based network security attorney

So what are you paying for this consultancy work you expect us slashdotters to do, for you, for free?

Seriously dude, you must be earning some big bucks, but you want us to do your job for you?

Not flamebait pal, I'm serious. If you don't know the answer, go tell your client to find someone who does, it's the least you owe them.

cmclean

DO make security tools illegal or restricted

[wytcld]

Making security tools illegal or restricted will doubtless work as well as the war on drugs in promoting innovation (as well as disrespect for a government whose current strategy towards being respected is to promote a world situation wherein we are besieged by terrorists from all sides as well as within - this being the replacement for the old model where government legitimacy was maintained by implicit conspiracy with the Soviet Union to terrorize each others' populations and allies).

Remember, the more enemies we can cultivate, the surer the civilian support for the institution of 'strong government' and a proud imperial role in the world. Don't get me wrong. I support the war on Muslim fundamentalism. I only question the extension of it to domestic computer professionals and errant teenage hobbiests. The saner extension of it would be to include our domestic fundamentalists, who truly threaten science, culture and civilization. Of course, no one becomes Senator by openly taking them on. But no one who wants to see progress in technology and our economy puts one of them (cough, Ashcroft) in control of laws limiting technology.