News Release

September 18, 2002

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Cato Expert on Bush Cyber-Security Policy: Government Should Secure Its Own Networks First

WASHINGTON - The Cato Institute's Director of Technology Policy issued the following statement on the new cyber-security policy recommended to President Bush:

"The government's heart is in the right place, but asking us to practice safe-surfing in cyberspace smacks of its unheeded calls for safe sex in back seats. Government should set the example by shoring up its own networks, and to its credit, the report calls for that."

The Cato Institute will host a forum on technology policy on Tuesday, September 24th, titled "Digital Pearl Harbor: How Real Is the Cyber-Security Threat, and Who's Responsible, Anyway?" Featured speakers include Howard Schmidt, Federal Office of Cybersecurity; Ken Silva, Verisign Corporation; Ira H. Parker, Genuity; Warren Axelrod, Pershing Division of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation; and Scott Charney, Microsoft.