[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 115 (Wednesday, September 8, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1801]]



       INTRODUCTION OF THE COMPUTER CRIME ENFORCEMENT ACT OF 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MATT SALMON

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 8, 1999

  Mr. SALMON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to introduce the Computer Crime 
Enforcement Act of 1999. The bill provides $25 million in grants (from 
the Department of Justice) to local law enforcement officials to combat 
computer crime. Specifically, the grants will be used to: Teach State 
and city law enforcement agents how to investigate hi-tech crimes; 
purchase the necessary equipment to assist in the investigation of 
computer crime; and train prosecutors to conduct investigations and 
forensic analysis of evidence in prosecutions of computer crime.
  As you know, many businesses, educational institutions, banks, 
hospitals, and other information-intensive entities have fallen prey to 
hi-tech criminals who illegally break into computer systems and steal 
sensitive information. And too often, local law enforcement agents have 
not had the necessary equipment or training to protect the public from 
hi-tech thieves.
  Computer Crime is on the rise. And companies are requiring more 
Federal assistance. According to a recent report released by the FBI 
and the Computer Security Institute, 32 percent of companies surveyed 
required help from law enforcement agencies--up 17 percent from the 
prior year. And, according to a recent report by San Francisco's 
Computer Security Institute, nearly a third of U.S. companies, 
financial institutions, government agencies, and universities say their 
computer systems were penetrated by outsiders last year. More than half 
of the organizations said their computer systems were subject to 
unauthorized access by insiders, and 57 percent said the Internet was a 
``frequent point of'' by hackers, up 37.5 percent from 3 years ago.
  We can no longer afford to be mystified by those who commit these hi-
tech crimes. The small network that once was the electronic home to a 
few scientists has become an electronic labyrinth where hundreds of 
millions of people regularly pay taxes, trade stock bank, buy goods, 
and send intensely personal information. When criminal gain access to 
this sensitive information, the consequences can be devastating.
  Computer criminals know no boundaries. And they are becoming 
sophisticated to the point that most companies aren't even aware that 
they are under attack. therefore, it is imperative that Congress 
address the needs of local police officers who are fighting this new 
wave of crime on the front lines. I urge my colleagues to cosponsor my 
bill.

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