CHEMISTRY

WASHINGTON, DC -- In its continuing efforts to protect our nation from cyber terrorism, IEEE-USA supported the Cyber Security Research and Development Act (H.R. 3394), which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives today on a vote of 400 to 12. The five-year, $887.85 million bill would create new research and education programs at the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). These programs are designed to address the nation's extraordinary vulnerability to attacks upon computer systems and networks, and the critical national infrastructures that rely upon them (e.g., water systems and electricity grids). The bill was introduced by House Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) and Ranking Member Ralph M. Hall (D-TX) and has the support of the White House. "We commend Chairman Boehlert and Ranking Member Hall for shining a spotlight on the shocking level of vulnerability to our vital information infrastructure," IEEE-USA President LeEarl Bryant said. "IEEE-USA stands ready and willing to help advance H.R. 3394 in the Senate." The proposed legislation is designed to promote more innovative research in cyber security and to attract more senior researchers and students into the field. This will help address the inadequate protection current technology offers, and provide more research and development into better security for computer systems and networks that protect critical aspects of daily life. "IEEE-USA is pleased to support this bill, which will pay dividends not only for protection against cyber terrorism, but also for commerce and personal privacy," said IEEE-USA Research and Development Policy Committee Chair Ron Hira at a Capitol Hill press conference organized by Rep. Boehlert. For more information, visit www.ieeeusa.org