COMPUTER SECURITY AND CRIME: IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY AND ACTION

Computer users face fundamentally new levels of risks in information security because of increased use of networks, increased computer literacy, an explosion in microcomputer use and decentralized data processing capabilities, and increased dependency on information technology overall. Realizing this fact is considerably easier than taking action to ease these risks, for computer security is fraught with hidden problems and contradictions. For example, while teenaged hackers have brought computer security and crime to the attention of policymakers and the public, most systems can be protected from hackers rather easily. The abuse of computer systems by those authorized to use them, as well as such mundane issues as protection from operator errors and natural or man‐made disasters, are more difficult problems. The Federal Government's experience in this area provides a number of lessons that are applicable to the private sector as well.