Securing Cyber-Space, Enhancing Drivers' Licenses

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Jul 9, 2008, By Karen Stewartson

New Attitude
More collaboration and information sharing between the public and private sectors is needed to improve cyber-security, according to a new study released by Symantec Corp.

The study examines each sector's information security priorities, as well as awareness of and attitudes toward the new National Cyber Security Initiative, a proposed federal initiative that would allocate more than $30 billion over the next seven to 10 years to improve cyber-security.

Enhanced Empire State
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will accept the enhanced drivers' licenses that New York is developing. Gov. David A. Paterson announced that the state's Department of Motor Vehicles is creating the license, which New Yorkers will show in place of passports at U.S. borders. The license is scheduled for release by the end of summer, according to a statement from Paterson's office.

New York expects to become the second state - after Washington - to offer enhanced licenses. Participation is voluntary for U.S. citizens residing in New York. They'll need to visit the DMV in person - and present identity and citizenship documents - before receiving the licenses. The license will comply with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and will contain special security features. It's designed to resemble regular New York licenses but will have distinctive features to indicate it's enhanced.

New York state leaders want to issue enhanced licenses to facilitate transit between the United States and the nearby Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario. Sectors of the upstate economy rely on smooth cross-border travel. - Informationweek.com

The Right Writing
According to Pew Internet & American Life Project research, most 12 to 17 year-olds differentiate between writing for school and composing texts, instant messages (IM) or e-mails to friends.

85 percent engage occasionally in some form of electronic personal communication, such as text messaging, sending e-mail or IMs or posting comments on social networking sites.
60 percent of teens don't think of these electronic texts as "writing."
86 percent of teens believe good writing is important to success in life.
56 percent describe writing as essential and another 30 percent describe it as important.

Driving Green
As gas prices steadily increase, consumers seek a cheaper, environmentally friendly alternative - and government is no different. According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, a nonprofit that aims to advance energy efficiency, the top 10 green cars of 2008 are:

Make and Model