As the 108th Congress scrambles in its final days to address homeland security issues, U.S. Reps. Mac Thornberry and Zoe Lofgren are focusing on the state of U.S. cybersecurity

As the 108th Congress scrambles in its final days to address homeland security issues, U.S. Reps. Mac Thornberry and Zoe Lofgren are focusing on the state of U.S. cybersecurity. Thornberry, chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Science, and Research and Development, and Lofgren, the panel's ranking member, have introduced The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2004, which, they say, will improve the department's capacity for protecting critical cyber systems. The bill would broaden the definition of cybersecurity to include not only computers and computer networks but also "wire communication." The expanded definition would grant authority to the new assistant secretary over protecting not just networks but also telecommunications. In addition, the two lawmakers introduced the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Enhancement Act of 2004. "I believe the department must invest more time, more money and more energy to R&D," Lofgren stated. "Our legislation will help the department develop the cutting-edge technologies needed to win the war on terror." The science and technology bill also requires the DHS to establish a program to transfer and commercialize promising technologies for use by federal, state and local government agencies and the private sector.