NCJ Number
169204
Date Published
1996
Length
20 pages
Annotation
The legal protection of information and security issues related to computer data and electronic information systems are examined.
Abstract
The new legal doctrine of information law and law on information technology recognizes information as a third fundamental factor besides matter and energy. The new theory of information law recognizes that modern information technology changes the characteristics of information. The trend in access to government documents through computer technology is from secrecy to openness. In contrast, personal data protection laws provide safeguards and other legal mechanisms to enable individuals to control the personal data that others collect and use. Network communication and the World Wide Web are experiencing an increasing potential for unauthorized access and abuse. Information security consists of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Ways to attack the Internet include IP spoofing and password sniffing. Countermeasures are called firewall technology and include several ways to protect a network from an untrusted network. Chart and footnotes