Ramping Up U.S. Cybersecurity

A look at the week of November 14 in public advocacy for the IT channel: This week, Janet Napolitano, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, authored an op-ed citing the urgent need for cyber legislation.  A bipartisan group of senators has introduced a bill allowing states to collect sales tax on online purchases.  The Institute of Medicine released a report recommending the creation of an independent federal entity to monitor effects of health IT.


Ramping Up U.S. Cybersecurity; Op-Ed — Politico published an op-ed by Janet Napolitano, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), discussing the importance of cybersecurity awareness and the steps DHS is taking to promote good cyber practices.  Napolitano underscores the need for urgent legislative action on a vital matter of national security.


Bipartisan Group of Senators Introduces Online Sales Tax Bill — A bipartisan group of 10 senators introduced a bill to allow states to tax online purchases through the online vendor. The Marketplace Fairness Act, spearheaded by Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) would close what they characterize as a loophole that treats online retailers differently than traditional brick-and-mortar stores, says The Hill.  Small business advocates have come out against this bill, arguing that high compliance costs will hurt bottom lines and discourage business expansion.


IOM Recommends Independent Safety Agency for Health IT — A recent report from the Institute of Medicine finds that digitized records and other health IT products are expected to improve patient safety — but only when the products are well-designed and correctly used. The magnitude of the health IT safety problem, or how the harms of the products stack up against their benefits, isn’t known, says The Wall Street Journal. The IOM recommends setting up an independent federal entity akin to the National Transportation Safety Board to investigate deaths, serious injuries or unsafe conditions associated with health IT.