BSA Calls Goal of White House Cyberspace Security Plan Admirable; Commits To Working Cooperatively To Increase Network Security 9/18/2002
From: Jeri Clausing, 202-744-3226, jeric@bsa.org, or Doug McGinn, 202-715-1558, doug.mcginn@dittus.com, both for the Business Software Alliance WASHINGTON, Sept. 18 -- The Business Software Alliance (BSA) said Wednesday that it was committed to working with the President's Critical Infrastructure Board to forge greater private-public partnerships to defend the nation's critical infrastructures from cyber attacks. Responding to the release of the board's long-awaited National Strategy to Secure Cyber Space, BSA said the technology industry is eager to continue working with the administration, Congress, state and local governments and consumers to establish specific policies and security technology solutions that adequately address vulnerabilities of the nation's information infrastructure. "This plan recognizes that everyone who uses a computer has a role and a stake in securing the networks that drive nearly every aspect of our daily lives and the world's economy. It also recognizes the need to give everyone a voice in developing the very complex solutions," said Robert Holleyman, president and CEO of the Business Software Alliance. "We all remember the dire Y2K warnings of transportation and financial systems shutting down and everything from water and electric supplies being corrupted," Holleyman said. "None of that happened, of course, because there was an aggressive, international effort to update the world's computers and information networks." "We need to build on the technology industry's efforts to develop that same type of concerted and ongoing effort to defend our critical infrastructures from cyber attacks. We hope this plan advances the nation's cyber security agenda and continues the long-standing dialogue between industry and government on how to combat cyber attacks and strengthen our key infrastructures." Information technology professionals, in two recent surveys conducted for the Business Software Alliance concluded that businesses and governments are likely to be hit with a major cyber attack in the next 12 months.(Note) And while a majority think their own organizations have made important strides in cyber security, only 18 percent of those surveyed think the private sector is adequately prepared to defend itself against such attacks. Following the release of today's strategy, BSA plans to hold a CEO conference call for the media to provide commentary from leaders in the technology industry. BSA president and CEO Robert Holleyman will moderate the program scheduled for 3 p.m. Eastern, Wednesday, Sept. 18. Interested media should contact Caroline Dietz at (202) 715-1532, or caroline.dietz@dittus.com. Throughout the last year, BSA has undertaken a national initiative to educate consumers, businesses, governments and policymakers on the need for enhanced Internet security policies and technologies. This effort has established a comprehensive resource base of national surveys, policies, research and best practices for the full spectrum of computer users -- from consumers and employees to IT managers and senior executives. BSA cyber security resources and surveys can be found at http://www.bsa.org/security/resources. Note: Government survey: http://www.bsa.org/security/press/newsreleases//2002-06-25.1176.p html Business survey: http://www.bsa.org/security/press/newsreleases//2002-07-24.1227.p html About the Business Software Alliance The Business Software Alliance (http://www.bsa.org) is the foremost organization dedicated to promoting a safe and legal online world. The BSA is the voice of the world's software and Internet industry before governments and with consumers in the international marketplace. Its members represent the fastest growing industry in the world. BSA educates computer users on software copyrights and cyber security; advocates public policy that fosters innovation and expands trade opportunities; and fights software piracy. BSA members include Adobe, Apple Computer, Autodesk, Bentley Systems, Borland, CNC Software/Mastercam, Dell, EDS, Entrust, HP, IBM, Intel, Intuit, Macromedia, Microsoft, Network Associates, Novell, SeeBeyond Technologies, Sybase, and Symantec. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jeri Clausing, 202-744-3226, jeric@bsa.org Doug McGinn, 202-715-1558, doug.mcginn@dittus.com |