The Bush administration released a scaled-back cybersecurity strategy outlining steps that the government, industry and citizens should take to protect computer systems from online attacks

The strategy, which President Bush signed on Jan. 31, has been in development since shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Unlike earlier drafts that asked the private sector to take concrete steps to protect their systems, the majority of the final document directs the government to lead by example by tightening the security of federal information systems. Omitted from the final plan were proposals to ask technology companies to contribute to a security research fund and for Internet service providers to bundle firewall and other security technology with their service. Instead, the plan urges home and small business computer users to install firewall and anti-virus software. It also calls for the creation of a public-private dialogue to devise ways that the government can reduce the burden of security on home users and businesses. It also encourages government contingency planning for cybersecurity attacks, including disaster recovery in the event that a major node on the Internet is disabled. Among other cybersecurity defenses, it calls for a network operating center to monitor the health of the Internet and detect attacks and virus outbreaks before they cause much damage.