FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AG

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 1998 (202) 616-2765

TDD (202) 514-1888

ATTORNEY GENERAL RENO UNVEILS

NEW CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROTECTION CENTER

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Attorney General Janet Reno today announced a new center to protect the United States' critical infrastructure, which includes everything from technology to telecommunications to transportation.

In a speech at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California, Reno formally unveiled the National Infrastructure Protection Center (NIPC).

"Our systems are more vulnerable than ever to attack because of our unprecedented reliance on technology," said Reno. "The NIPC's mission is to detect, prevent and respond to cyber and physical attacks on our nation's critical infrastructures."

An outgrowth of the FBI's Computer Investigations and Infrastructure Threat Assessment Center, the NIPC was developed after the President's Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection issued a report highlighting the vulnerability of the nation's cyber infrastructure to attack.

Serving as the government's lead mechanism for responding to an infrastructure attack, the NIPC will include representatives from the Defense Department, Intelligence community and other government agencies. Representatives from the private sector will provide their technological expertise as well, especially in the areas of computer and telecommunications technology.

"Through partnerships among federal agencies and private industry, the NIPC will be able to achieve the broadest possible sharing of information and comprehensive analyses of potential threats and vulnerabilities," added Reno.

The Department of Justice has asked Congress to provide $64 million in increased funding to support its expanded efforts to protect the nation's critical infrastructure.

"We hope our nation's critical infrastructure will help keep our country safe and secure as we begin to meet the challenges of the century ahead," said Reno.

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