2002 Computer and Internet Law Institute Addresses Cyber-terrorism in a Post-Sept. 11 World

Government and private computer networks are facing new threats of terrorist attacks, ranging from homegrown hackers releasing computer viruses to a potential nationwide disruption of transportation, finances and utilities.

Increasingly, protection against such threats is vital to maintaining the economic engine of the country, said Richard H.L. Marshall, deputy director of the Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office (CIAO) in his keynote address at USC Law's 2002 Computer and Internet Law Institute. The CIAO was created in 1998 to develop a cohesive approach across different industries for delivering critical infrastructure services, such as information and communications, electric power, transportation and banking.

"The infrastructure is a high priority for government and private enterprise," Marshall said. "It's going to take a joint, aggressive effort on both sides" to ensure that information technology systems are protected against cyber-terrorists.

Much of this year's conference, which took place May 9 and 10, focused on security issues for information technology companies and their legal advisors, especially as they related to the threat of terrorism. Other topics covered at the 23rd annual institute included open sourcing, Internet copyright laws, patents, enterprise-wide license agreements and ways to deal with troubled or bankrupt companies.

Sponsored by USC Law's Continuing Legal Education program, the institute presents each year a seminar in Los Angeles featuring nationally recognized experts who examine contemporary issues in computer and information technology law. The institute was the first established information technology institute in the United States and has regularly attracted the largest audience for seminars of its kind, drawing equally from in-house counsel for computer and IT companies, and practitioners from law firms who specialize in representing technology companies.

"The institute is a key component of USC Law's strong commitment to providing cutting-edge information, exceptional opportunities in continuing education to the legal community, including its own graduates," noted USC Law Assistant Dean Richard S. Shaffran, who heads up the CLE programs. "The quality of the presentations and the importance of the speakers at the program demonstrate the high standards which are key to the Law School's continuing education program."

During one panel discussion, computer security experts warned that private businesses need to become much more pro-active about protecting their networks against cyber-terrorism. Unlike the Y2K problem, a terrorist attack cannot be predicted and a contingency plan may not keep the IT infrastructure fully operational.

"We have not built a culture of security," said Marc. A. Pearl, senior vice president for technology, telecommunications and e-commerce for Fleishman-Hillard's government relations/public affairs subsidiary. "Cyber-security needs to be looked at as a process, not an event."

"To be competitive in today's environment, you have to be confident that the information is secured," added James E. Gordon, vice president of Los Angeles-based Pinkerton Consulting & Investigations. "It's no longer like Y2K, when it was a litigation issue. It's now a business issue."