DHS Proposes Critical Infrastructure Information Protection

The Department of Homeland Security issued proposed regulations for protection of information regarding critical infrastructure. The responsibilities of the Department include the taking of action to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States and to reduce the vulnerability of the United States to acts of terrorism. The reduction of that vulnerability includes the protection of vital physical or computer-based systems and assets, collectively referred to as "critical infrastructure," the incapacitation or destruction of which would have a debilitating impact on national security, national economic security, national public health or safety, or any combination of these matters. The Department recognizes that its receipt of information pertaining to the security of critical infrastructure, much of which is not customarily within the public domain, is best encouraged through the assurance that such information will be utilized for securing the United States and will not be disseminated to the general public. Comments on the proposal should be submitted by June 16, 2003. Source: HK Law