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GCN Home > 02/07/02 web stories

House OKs bill to pump $880 million into cybersecurity R&D

By Jason Miller, GCN Staff

The House today overwhelmingly passed a bill to expand systems security R&D at the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Members approved the Cyber Security R&D Act by a vote of 400 to 12. HR 3394 would authorize $880 million over five years beginning in fiscal 2003.

NSF would receive $233 million for computer and network security research and $144 million to establish multidisciplinary centers for security research within universities or at business and government laboratories.

Most of NIST’s funding, $275 million, would support research partnerships with businesses to improve systems security.

“I am convinced that, over time, this legislation will come to be seen as a fundamental turning point in the nation’s approach to cybersecurity,” said Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-N.Y.), the bill’s sponsor. “The attacks of Sept. 11 have turned our attention to the nation’s weaknesses, and again we find that our capacity to conduct research and to educate will have to be enhanced if we are to counter our foes over the long run.”

Boehlert introduced his bill Dec. 4 and said he is working with Senate members on a companion bill.

More news on related topics: Homeland Security, IT Security



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