Examines Federal policies directed at protecting information, particularly in electronic communications systems. Examines the vulnerability of communications and computer systems, and the trends in technology for safeguarding information in these systems. Addresses important trends taking place in the private sector. Charts and tables.

Covers: elements of computer security; roles and responsibilities; common threats; computer security policy; computer security program and risk management; security and planning in the computer system life cycle; assurance; personnel/user issues; preparing for contingencies and disasters; computer security incident handling; awareness, training, and education; physical and environmental security; identification and authentication; logical access control; audit trails; cryptography; and assessing and mitigating the risks to a hypothetical computer system.

Focuses on policy issues in three areas: national cryptography policy, including federal information processing standards and export controls; guidance on safeguarding unclassified information in federal agencies; and legal issues and information security, including electronic commerce, privacy, and intellectual property. Includes: computer security act and related documents and evaluation of the digital signature standard. Charts and tables.

The use of information networks for business and government is expanding enormously. Government use of networks features prominently in plans to make government more efficient, effective, and responsive. But the transformation brought about by the networking also raises new concerns for the security and privacy of networked information. This Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) report was requested by the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs and the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance. The report begins with background information and an overview of the current situation, a statement of the problems involved in safeguarding unclassified networked information, and a summary of policy issues and options. The major part of the report is then devoted to detailed discussions of policy issues in three areas: (1) cryptography policy, including federal information processing standards and export controls; (2) guidance on safeguarding unclassified information in federal agencies; and (3) legal issues and information security, including electronic commerce, privacy, and intellectual property. Appendices include Congressional letters of request; the Computer Security Act and related documents; evolution of the digital signature standard; and lists of workshop participants, reviews, and other contributors. An index is provided. A separately published eight-page OTA Report Summary is included. (JLB).