[ISN] Putnam, Davis, propose Clinger-Cohen amendment

[InfoSec News]

http://www.fcw.com/fcw/articles/2004/0614/web-cc-06-15-04.asp

By Florence Olsen 
June 15, 2004

Two lawmakers today announced a bill that would amend the 1996 
Clinger-Cohen Act to strengthen computer security in the federal 
government. 

Rep. Adam Putnam (R-Fla.), chairman of the House Government Reform 
Committee's Technology, Information Policy, Intergovernmental 
Relations and the Census Subcommittee, along with Rep. Tom Davis 
(R-Va.), committee chairman, said their bill would update 
Clinger-Cohen to include cybersecurity requirements in all federal 
information-systems planning and acquisition activities.

The amendment would also give the Office of Management and Budget 
greater authority for advising agencies on information security.

Davis said the proposed legislation, H.R. 4570, "helps ensure that 
every federal information system is managed in a way that minimizes 
the security risks."

The Clinger-Cohen Act requires that agency heads establish reasonable 
processes to select, manage and control their information technology 
investments. 

In a statement issued late today, Putnam said, "With the many threats 
out there today, it is vital that we factor in security when making 
our IT management decisions."