Commerce official supports computer security office move

Despite opposition to the idea from the technology industry, a senior Commerce Department official voiced support last week for a proposal to transfer the Computer Security Division of the National Institute of Standards and Technology to the Homeland Security Department.

"There's no doubt that the new ... department will require technical competence and the encryption of computer information," Deputy Secretary Samuel Bodman said in an interview, noting that the division specializes in those areas.

"Therefore, having that group-or a group that does that kind of work-as part of a Department of Homeland Security makes every sense and probably should take place."

The House-passed homeland security bill, H.R. 5005, would block the transfer, and industry lobbyists have argued that the Senate version should be amended to do the same.

In a recent letter to Senate leaders, Business Software Alliance President Robert Holleyman said the transfer is unnecessary.