Ridge asks for tech firms' help against cyber-crime

Dec 8, 2003 12:00 PM

Technology companies will cooperate to battle against cyber-terrorism, or they will submit to government-imposed security regulations, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said at last week's National Cyber-Security Summit.

The two-day conference, sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security and several technology companies and trade groups, was the first formal brainstorming session to draft security guidelines and cyber-warning systems.

Ridge said the department intends to educate security managers in industries from banking to transportation, as well as at least 50 million Americans with home computers, about the potential dangers,

The Associated Press

reports.

The Business Software Alliance trade group, however, introduced a survey claiming more than 78 percent of information-security managers believe their organizations are already able to defend themselves against a "major cyber-attack."

But the government is still looking for confirmation of that fact. "We need demonstrable results so we can say the private sector is taking the problem seriously," DHS assistant secretary for infrastructure protection Bob Liscouski said. "If we can't say that, there are a lot of people who will legislate to tell them what to do."

Executives at the conference met in working groups to advise the Homeland Security Department on subjects that include how to set up early-warning networks and encourage companies to design better software.

The executives said they hope they'll be able to share ideas with government officials in more formal meetings, including quarterly conferences and an annual summit.

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