Administration looks to build super-secure network for agencies

The Bush administration wants to create a secure voice and data network impervious to cyberattacks for federal civilian agencies. The network, called GOVNET, would be free from threats posed by viruses, worms and denial of service attacks. "Planning for this network has been going on for several months," said Richard Clarke, the President's newly installed cyberspace security advisor. The network is intended to ensure that communication among government offices is reliable and always available. The proposed network would be the federal government's equivalent of the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System (JWICS) network, a classified network with no links at all to the public Internet that is used by the intelligence community. GOVNET would also be a private network that is not attached to the Internet or other public networks in any way. Agencies will not be required to use GOVNET, but the initial government proposal suggests building "a completely dedicated network" that will be used for important day-to-day business. Clarke is working with the General Services Administration to gauge support for the GOVNET proposal. GSA released a request for information on Wednesday. Responses are due by Nov. 21. Clarke will decide how to proceed once the telecommunications industry has had its say.