Downloader: "Cyberspace Protection" bill approved by Senate committee, no Internet "kill switch" to speak of

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

"Cyberspace Protection" bill approved by Senate committee, no Internet "kill switch" to speak of

There's been quite a few sensational headlines cropping up around the Web lately about a new bill that's abuzz in the Senate. The title of that bill is Protecting Cyberspace as a National Asset Act of 2010, or PCNAA. It's a pretty big piece of legislation for the Internet as a whole, but nowhere inside it will you find mention of an Internet "kill switch." At least, not in so many words.

The full-text version of the bill is available as a 197-page PDF, and there are additional breakdowns of the bill available at a site put up by the Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs.

Yesterday, the bill was unanimously approved by Senate Committee, and will now make its way to the Senate floor for a full vote. Critics have all but run to the streets with end of the world is nigh signs, and headlines in everything from newspapers to tech blogs (and right back 'round to news blogs) haven't exactly helped matters, either. There's no doubt that the bill is wide-ranging, but there is no wording within it that should automatically be construed as "providing the President with an Internet kill switch."

What the bill does say is that, should it be passed, the DHS would spawn a new agency called the National Center for Cybersecurity and Communications. This NCCC would become the focal point for all things "cybersecurity" at the national level, and would act as go-between for the government and the private sector. Private companies (like ISP's) would also be asked for data that could be used to diagnose security holes. The rest of the private sector, or more specifically, the heads of Internet-related tech firms in the private sector, would lend their expertise in situations that might take place in the event of a major "cyber attack."

Continue reading "Cyberspace Protection" bill approved by Senate committee, no Internet "kill switch" to speak of

"Cyberspace Protection" bill approved by Senate committee, no Internet "kill switch" to speak of originally appeared on Download Squad on Sat, 26 Jun 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments