IF STATES THOUGHT Y2K WAS BEHIND THEM AND THE ROAD TO ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT WAS WIDE OPEN, THEY'D BETTER LOOK AGAIN. That fast-approaching object in the rearview mirror is an ungainly set of regulations known as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Signed into law by President Clinton in 1996, HIPAA's full impact will be felt in two years when all health-care organizations, including state Medicaid programs, must comply with stringent regulations governing the electronic management of medical information or face severe penalties.

CERT is attempting to balance the public's right to know about software vulnerabilities with the manufacturer's right to fix problems before they become public knowledge.

So far, only a few jurisdictions have accepted advertisements on their Web sites, but more will follow. Is the risk worth the reward?

Incorporating some of the best ideas from around the world, South African justice officials intend to create one of the most successful crime-fighting systems in existence.

As access to state-held records becomes easier, citizens want to see the issue addressed. Increasingly, states are faced with making new rules in unfamiliar territory.