I want to thank the Chairman for putting the Computer Crime Enforcement Act, S. 1314, on today’s agenda. Our bipartisan bill is cosponsored by Senator DeWine, Senator Abraham, and Senator Hatch on the Committee and Senator Robb.

Computer crime is quickly emerging as one of today’s top challenges for state and local law enforcement officials. A recent survey by the FBI and the Computer Security Institute found that 62% of information security professionals reported computer security breaches in the past year. These breaches in computer security resulted in financial losses of more than $120 million from fraud, theft of information, sabotage, computer viruses, and stolen laptops. Computer crime has become a multi-billion dollar problem.

All 50 states have now enacted tough computer crime control laws. They establish a firm groundwork for electronic commerce, an increasingly important sector of the nation’s economy. Unfortunately, too many state and local law enforcement agencies are struggling to afford the high cost of enforcing their state computer crime statutes.

The Computer Crime Enforcement Act would authorize a $25 million Department of Justice grant program to help states prevent and prosecute computer crime. Grants under our bipartisan bill may be used to provide education, training, and enforcement programs for local law enforcement officers and prosecutors in the rapidly growing field of computer criminal justice. Our legislation has been endorsed by the Information Technology Association of America and Fraternal Order of Police.

Technology have ushered in a new age filled with unlimited potential for good. But the information age has also ushered in new challenges for our state and local law enforcement officers.

I hope all members of the Committee can join us in our bipartisan efforts to provide our state and local partners in crime fighting with the resources they need in the battle against computer crime.