Bill Clinton: “Electronic Information September 16, 1999 To the Congress of the United States: I am pleased to transmit for your early…”

“Electronic Information September 16, 1999 To the Congress of the United States: I am pleased to transmit for your early consideration and speedy enactment a legislative proposal entitled the ``Cyberspace Electronic Security Act of 1999'' (CESA). Also transmitted herewith is a section- by-section analysis. There is little question that continuing advances in technology are changing forever the way in which people live, the way they communicate with each other, and the manner in which they work and conduct commerce. In just a few years, the Internet has shown the world a glimpse of what is attainable in the information age. As a result, the demand for more and better access to information and electronic commerce continues to grow--among not just individuals and consumers, but also among financial, medical, and educational institutions, manufacturers and merchants, and State and local governments. This increased reliance on information and communications raises important privacy issues because Americans want assurance that their sensitive personal and business information is protected from unauthorized access as it resides on and traverses national and international communications networks. For Americans to trust this new electronic environment, and for the promise of electronic commerce and the global information infrastructure to be fully realized, information systems must provide methods to protect the data and communications of legitimate users.…”