June 12, 2002—Preparation and collaboration between the public and private sectors are two of the most important issues for improving information and physical security for government agencies and corporations, says a new report released by Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), an IT services provider.
According to the CSC recommendations, preparation encompasses a wide range of topics including maintaining network firewalls; knowing which law enforcement agencies to contact in the event information systems are compromised; training first responders; using “ethical hackers” to identify IT vulnerabilities; and employing biometrics to authenticate identity.
“Generally speaking, companies and government agencies must view information and physical security as a strategic business issue, not an add-on cost factor,” said Ben Gianni, CSC’s vice president for Homeland Security.
CSC’s collaboration-related recommendations call for companies to participate actively in public-private advisory boards and work with government agencies to overcome technological and organizational barriers to information sharing. This includes potential legislative changes designed to protect companies working to secure the national critical infrastructure.
For more information, including the 25 Recommendations for Information and Infrastructure Security, contact CSC.
