Toby Roth: “our society is rapidly becoming a world of instant communications, of masses of information available through countless…”

“our society is rapidly becoming a world of instant communications, of masses of information available through countless databanks. Last fall, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal reported a major incident--a broad scale electronic break-in of these databanks and the companies that rely on them. Soon after these reports, it became clear that the University of Delaware was affected. Today, the Washington Post reports that there is a rash of break-ins underway. Over the past 5 years, telecommunications have expanded far beyond what Alexander Bell could have dreamed. Telecommunications now reach far beyond the telephone. Governments at all levels, corporate America, many American families, and academia rely on computer networks to conduct their business. Every day, more entities are linked to one another. The very term network has become a household word. Foremost among the world's largest data networks is the Internet, which is funded by the Federal Government. The Internet has grown from 215 sites in 1981 to over 2 million sites today, reaching 15 to 20 million personal computer users. The Internet has truly become the backbone of the business community, and access to it is considered vital. It increases productivity by allowing researchers, scientists, and engineers to collaborate. Projects can be completed faster and with fewer people simply because the same information can be shared electronically across States and continents.”