New Clinton Administration Crypto Stance Marks Win for Industry.

ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 16, 1999--

The Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) today said that the Clinton Administration's decision to relax export controls on mass-market encryption software and hardware products means better business for America's information technology producers and victory for hundreds of bipartisan Congressional sponsors and industry supporters of the SAFE Act.

ITAA called today's Administration announcement on export control liberalization a significant victory for the IT industry. The White House also endorsed increased information security measures to be taken by the US government. ITAA has been the lead trade group on the information security (InfoSec) issue and works with the government, coordinating industry participation, to raise awareness of computer security issues.

"Forcing US companies to do business under tight export controls was like asking them to use a black rotary telephone in a cellular, call-waiting world," said ITAA President Harris Miller. "We're pleased that the Clinton Administration has joined with Congress in acting to move the entire marketplace forward."

Miller thanked Representatives Goodlatte and Lofgren, the House authors and chief proponents of the SAFE Act, which was scheduled for a floor vote in October. He said that their efforts on behalf of industry were to be commended.

Miller continued, "Even Hurricane Floyd could not drown the interest of Washington policymakers to put aside longstanding differences and pour the foundation of a better and stronger digital economy. The export control changes announced today will allow e-commerce buyers and sellers alike to feel their transactions will remain private and secure and that their intellectual property will be protected."

Miller noted that "Throughout the debate, ITAA has advocated a balanced approach to the needs of business, privacy interests and the law enforcement establishment. This new position, combined with our support for the Computer Crime Enforcement Act--a bill introduced by Senators Leahy, DeWine and Robb to establish a grant program to assist State and local law enforcement in deterring, investigating, and prosecuting computer crimes--will go far towards achieving this balance."

ITAA is a leading industry advocacy group on encryption and information security issues.

ITAA consists of 11,000 direct and affiliate members throughout the U.S., which produce products and services in the IT industry. The Association plays a leading role in public policy issues of concern to the IT industry, including information security, taxes, finance policy, intellectual property, telecommunications law, encryption, securities litigation reform, and human resources policy. ITAA members range from the smallest IT start ups to industry leaders in the software, services, systems integration, telecommunications, Internet, and computer consulting fields. Learn more about ITAA and its positions on the issues by connecting to its web site at http://www.itaa.org.