US e-security gets $800m boost

NEWS A whopping $800m has been set aside by the US government to distribute among anyone working on valid projects aimed at increasing web security. The Cyber Security Research and Development Act was passed yesterday after Congress initiated further research into the area following the 11 September terrorist attacks. Congress found that while advances in computing and communications technologies have created a massive, independent electronic network, the consequences of network failure have also risen exponentially. A Department of Defence Joint Task Force study concluded as early as 1997 that the US was badly equipped to deal with a coordinated cyber and physical attack on its military and civilian infrastructure. However, little has been done in terms of a concerted effort in this area until now. The money will be distributed by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.