Information Technology Assn. of America (ITAA) and Business Softw...

Information Technology Assn. of America (ITAA) and Business Software Alliance (BSA) lauded House Govt. Reform Committee for including network vulnerability data-sharing exemption in homeland security bill (HR-5005). Committee last week approved an amendment by Rep. Davis (R-Va.) that would provide an exemption from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) disclosures of critical infrastructure-related threat data voluntarily submitted to govt. by industry. ITAA said provision “would remove barriers that prevent companies from sharing information with the federal government.” BSA said Davis measure is crucial to collaborative cybersecurity efforts of public and private sectors, since it would “guarantee that the information they share is not used against them.” House Commerce Committee also marked up legislation (CD July 12 p6) to create cabinet-level Dept. of Homeland Security, but Chmn. Tauzin (R-La.) dropped FOIA provision. Tauzin, who supports narrowly crafted FOIA exemption, said he’s working with Bush Administration on language that would better balance public’s right-to-know with need to keep critical network information out of the hands of terrorists. Critics of expanding scope of FOIA have urged Congress to reject nondisclosure proposal, saying it would enable industry to use exemption as means of hiding information that could affect consumers and environment. Electronic Privacy Information Center Gen. Counsel David Sobel recently urged Tauzin to drop proposed FOIA exemption from committee version of bill (CD July 10 p8), pointing out that industry was seeking additional avenues of secrecy at time when it was under increased scrutiny for falsifying and hiding data from investors. Despite conflicting committee positions on FOIA exemption, House Select Committee on Homeland Security has final say on matter and isn’t obligated to consider recommendations. Committee scheduled second hearing on issue for today (July 15), where Homeland Security Dir. Tom Ridge will testify. Hearing is 1 p.m., Rm. 345, Cannon Bldg.