House Panel Approves Data Security Bill

A look at the week of July 25 in public advocacy for the IT channel: This week, a House subcommittee approved a data security bill.  The Obama Administration is moving forward with plans to close 40 percent of its IT data centers.  A Brookings reports reveals that cloud technology raises concerns about nebulous export control laws.

House Panel Approves Data Security Bill — Republicans pushed a data security bill through a House subcommittee despite complaints from Democrats that the measure does not do enough to protect consumer privacy, reports The Hill. The Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade subcommittee approved the Secure and Fortify Electronic (SAFE) Data Act in a voice vote. The measure will now move to the full Energy and Commerce Committee for consideration.

U.S. to Close 800 Computer Data Centers — The federal government plans to shut 40 percent of its computer centers over the next four years to reduce its hefty technology budget. The move also serves to modernize the way the government uses computers to manage data and provide services to citizens. According to The New York Times, the government is following the lead of private business and according to analysts the savings will translate into billions of dollars a year and acres of freed-up
real estate.

Report: Cloud Computing Means Export Laws Need Updating — A recent Brookings report reveals that cloud technology poses many challenges to export-control laws that regulate what information and software can be shared overseas.  The huge projected growth of the cloud market means lawmakers need to quickly update export laws to support increased security in cloud computing and provide guidance to users, says National Journal.