Senate passes cyber security measure

The Senate has passed a resolution co-sponsored by Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) to increase awareness among individuals, businesses and government entities of the steps that should be taken to protect themselves from a growing international and domestic threat to digital systems and data.

The Senate approved the National Cyber Security Awareness Month Resolution (S.Res.285) by unanimous consent. The measure sets Oct. 2009 aside to highlight the need for greater cyber security awareness in all segments of American society.

“I hope Mississippians will take the month of October to learn more about cyber security in order to ensure that the Internet remains a positive tool in our homes, schools and workplaces,” Cochran said.

The Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services (MS-ISAC) is a member of the Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center that also sponsors the cyber security month. The MS-ISAC is a collaborative state and local government-focused cyber security organization aimed at enhancing cyber threat prevention and protection.

Cochran, the ranking Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, noted that Mississippi State University (MSU) and the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) have been recognized for its cyber security programs, including MSU’s Center for Computer Security and Research and the Critical Infrastructure Protection Center and USM’s Homeland Open Security Technology (HOST) program.

In addition, the U.S. Air Force in July announced its decision to locate its new Undergraduate Cyberspace Training unit at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi. This training is expected to start up in 2010.