Cybersecurity Act of 2009
Would a bill introduced to Congress put it within the President’s power to completely shut down your access to the Internet in a “national security emergency” as defined by the President and his assigns? Excellent question. The Cybersecurity Act of 2009 (S.773) is being discussed in many quarters as enabling the President to do just that, a grant of power to the Executive that many – if not all – of my colleagues on the left would have been howling in anger over had it been introduced last year at this time. They would have screamed that Bush was showing his jack-booted colors. Now? Not so much angst over there.
Ah, but are we putting the cart before the horse? The Cybersecurity Act is a pretty standard-length bill, which means it’s huge and unwieldy to read. But, in keeping with my profession and within the auspices of 2 of the professional organizations of which I’m a member I’m going to delve into this bill and see what’s really there. This will not be a quick post nor will it be fast research but I think it’s important. I’m putting this into a category of its own so it can be retrieved quickly.
Stay tuned.
