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Senate Passes Science and Technological Emergency Mobilization Act

The bill calls for the formation of a National Emergency Technological Guard comprised of scientists and technology experts to help forestall terrorist attacks on the country's communications infrastructure.

WASHINGTON D.C. - The United States Senate on July 19, passed the Science and Technology Emergency Mobilization Act, which would form a National Emergency Technological Guard.

The National Emergency Technological Guard would consist of scientists and technology experts to help forestall and respond to terrorist attacks on the country's communications infrastructure.

The proposal would also set up a government agency to administer security technology sharing programs and commit $35 million toward the development of emergency communications programs. The bill would also establish a "virtual technology reserve" of private equipment that authorities could borrow in times of emergency.

The bill comes on the heels of reports that al-Qaida terrorists are investigating ways to control digital switches for critical infrastructure systems via the Internet. A recent report also indicated that the number of cyber attacks have risen 64 percent in the last year.