Security Sharing Bill Redux

Two Virginia congressmen reintroduced a bill July 10 to give businesses protection when they share systems security information with the government and other companies.

The Cyber Security Information Act of 2001 would encourage disclosure of information that could help protect the nation's critical infrastructure, said Reps. Tom Davis, a Republican, and James Moran, a Democrat.

The bill is similar to one the pair introduced last year. Modeled on the Year 2000 Information and Readiness Disclosure Act, it would provide companies with antitrust exemptions, limited exemption from the Freedom of Information Act and protection against civil suits.

Much of the nation's critical infrastructure, from communications and power delivery to financial services, is commercially run. Business and legal concerns inhibit the sharing of information about cyberthreats, however, the congressmen said.