The growing trend of government involvement in IT security

In today's society, information security has come to the forefront of discussion, especially as terrorism, illegal corporate activities, and cyber crime incidents are increasing. The government is now taking on a larger role in determining standards and regulations for information security within IT, and it is having definite impacts and effects throughout a variety of industries. From the Gramm-Leach Bliley Act, to Sarbanes-Oxley, to HIPAA, the government continues to pass legislation that promotes some control over securing information. Initiatives continue at present to further this influence into more security areas as well. Impacts to corporations involve updating architecture, policy, and integrating systems. Effects to organizations are both positive and negative, but the question must be raised as to what the true implications of government involvement entail, and whether it is a positive or negative trend.