The Cyber Security Industry Alliance (CSIA) delivered letters to members of the bipartisan leadership of the House and Senate, urging party leaders, committee chairmen and other members to "set aside their differences and focus on protecting Americans' private, personal information."
"Over the past year more than 52 million records of Americans' private personal information -- an average of 142,000 per day -- have been hacked into, lost, stolen or otherwise compromised from digital databases," states the letter, signed by all 12 board members of the CSIA. "Once front-page news, such breaches have become commonplace and have corroded public confidence in the security of private personal information."
For the first time, said the CSIA in a release, surveys now show a decrease in Americans' interest in doing business online. "Perhaps part of the reason is that the average identity theft victim -- and there were 3.4 million of them last year -- spends $834 and 77 hours just clearing their name."
CSIA says a "trust deficit" in online commerce is a serious threat to economic growth, which depends on technological innovation. "It's no surprise that these same voters are looking to Congress for action."
During meetings with members of the congressional leadership Tuesday, CSIA board members urged quick action on consumer privacy protection legislation so that a bill can be completed and delivered to President Bush's desk for signature by the end of the session.
