ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Information Technology
Association of America (ITAA) applauded a new report by
the President's Working Group on Unlawful Conduct on the
Internet, calling it a sensible approach to a difficult issue.
"The Electronic Frontier: The Challenge of Unlawful
Conduct Involving the Use of the Internet" recommends a
three-part strategy composed of legal consistency, technology
neutrality, and regard for civil liberties; the need for new
crime fighting tools and resources as well as coordination with
local, state and international counterparts; and support for
government/private sector cooperation in the area of cyberethics
awareness and education.
ITAA President Harris Miller said the report builds the
framework for a productive partnership on cybercrime fighting
issues. "Cybercrime can never be accepted as the price of
doing business on the Internet," Miller said. "We must
have zero tolerance for individuals who intentionally disrupt
networks, tamper with electronic property or steal online
assets. At the same time, we must not rush headlong into new
laws or regulatory approaches that might diminish rights to
privacy, create unnecessary financial burdens or otherwise make
the Internet a less than friendly marketplace. The Working Group
report is a balanced approach to crossing over one of the
Internet's highest wires."
Specifically, ITAA supports the Working Group's emphasis on
utilizing existing federal laws, updated as necessary, to fight
crime in cyberspace. While ITAA agrees with the report's
assertion that gaps may exist in current law, particularly in
the area of evidence collection, the Association cautioned that
new laws must move forward slowly and with the full
participation of industry. ITAA also supports the report's call
for greater use of tools, personnel and training as well as
government to government cooperation to deal more effectively
with the cybercrime challenge.
"I am particularly pleased with the recognition that the
Working Group gives to the Cybercitizen Partnership program ITAA
has created with the Department of Justice and leading
companies," Miller said. "Cybercitizenship means
bringing the same high standard of ethical behavior you practice
in everyday life to the online world. We are proud to be
partnering with Justice and other groups to help make online
ethics really click for kids."
As appointed by the US Department of Commerce, ITAA also
serves as co-Sector Coordinator for the Information and
Communications Sector on information security issues. In this
role, ITAA facilitates public and private sector collaboration
to address InfoSec issues including information sharing,
awareness, research and development, security workforce, and
legislative needs. ITAA's InfoSec Web site can be found at
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The Information Technology Association of America (ITAA)
provides global public policy, business networking, and national
leadership to promote the continued rapid growth of the IT
industry. ITAA consists of 400 direct and 26,000 affiliate
corporate members throughout the U.S., and a global network of
39 countries' IT associations. The Association plays the leading
role in issues of IT industry concern including taxes and
finance policy, intellectual property, telecommunications
competition, workforce and education, encryption, critical
infrastructure protection, online privacy and consumer
protection, securities litigation reform, government IT
procurement, and human resources policy. ITAA members range from
the smallest IT start-ups to industry leaders in the Internet,
software, IT services, ASP, digital content, systems
integration, telecommunications, and enterprise solution fields.
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