Information Security

By: Matt Tobin

IT 103-2B1

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LAWS

In the early stages of computer technology, few acknowledged the seriousness of computer and computer-related crimes (Pfleeger, 2003). Luckily, the times have changed enough for the courts to have clearly-defined computer crime laws. Some of the more important and influential laws are stated below.

U.S. Economic Espionage Act: Prohibits using a computer to commit international espionage that will benefit an organization or business. It also does not allow the trade of secrets or theft. (Pfleeger, 2003).
U.S. Electronic Funds Transfer Act: This law does not allow the “use, transport, sale, receipt, or supply of counterfeit, stolen, altered, lost, or fraudulently obtained debit instruments in interstate or foreign commerce (Pfleeger, 2003, p. 588)."
Computer Abuse Amendments Act: It builds upon the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act to incorporate computer viruses and harmful code as illegal. (Morley & Parker, 2004).
U.S. Freedom of Information Act: This law was enacted to allow any information gathered by the federal government’s executive branch to be made accessible to the general public. However, the information is not be made public if it were to be classified as under national security or personal privacy. (Pfleeger, 2003).
Homeland Security Act: “Includes provisions to combat cyberterrorism, including protecting ISPs against lawsuits from customers for revealing private information to law enforcement agencies (Morley & Parker, 2004, p. 653)."