Why do I, or does my organization, need a ppn?

Every computer provides the capability to receive, process, store and distribute confidential identity information, credit card numbers, passwords, access codes, financial information, health information or other confidential information. As such, every computer data transfer is a potential target for cyber-spying, prying and cyber-crime attacks. Given the occurrence of such an unauthorized and illegal intrusion every owner and user of a computer is exposed to potential financial losses and also personal liability for any damages suffered by any friends, users, clients, customers, employees and others who’s confidential information was compromised. For a discussion of the need for increased cyber-security see: Cyber-security and the Networked Environment

Congress recently alerted the Federal government agencies and the public of a serious new security vulnerability risk posed by peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing and data file transfers. As a result of congressional hearings, late last year the U.S. House of Representatives proposed and passed H.R. 3159, the “Government Network Security Act of 2003 (GSNA).” The Act requires Federal agencies to protect their computers and networks from the security risks posed by peer-to-peer file sharing and data file transfers.

Although GSNA was not signed into law by the President, this legislation demonstrated the continued and added emphasis on the need for security in the transfer and the sharing of private, sensitive and confidential information, “protected information,” between computer users. The Act is consistent with the trend for increased cyber-security of protected information as was mandated under the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), HIPAA, GLBA and is also beginning to appear in many State laws and regulations. For details see
• GSNA News Release
• GSNA Fact Sheet
• GSNA-The Act (H.R. 3159) Cyber-spying, prying and cyber-crime attacks, which include cyber-theft of client and customer identities, upon the public are increasing. Therefore, the file sharing security vulnerability issue is not limited to the Federal government’s computers, it is also a serious risk to every individual who owns or operates a computer. Be aware that a cyber-spy or a cyber-thief can access confidential information through a traditional data file transfer and by an open P2P file-sharing program and will expose the owner of the computer and the user of the computer to personal liability for the losses suffered by the victim of the compromised confidential information. Such confidential information may be identity data, credit card or debit card data, banking or financial information, employment information, medical records and many other types of sensitive or confidential information. From a liability viewpoint, a ppn offers a much better means of receiving and distributing electronic data than an open file-sharing program.