congress

Congress rethinks power grid cybersecurity

Judi Hasson — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 21:28:24 -0400

Concerns about a cybersecurity attack on the nation's electric power grids are being raised in Congress, with lawmakers considering legislation to broaden federal authority over electric companies.

"I believe America is disturbingly vulnerable to a cyber attack against the electric grid that could cause significant consequences to our nation's critical infrastructure," said Rep. James Langevin (D-RI). Industry representatives, also testifying at the congressional hearing, conceded there is a need to strengthen federal authority to deal with the cybersecurity threat. They also cautioned against expanding the government's powers too broadly.

Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA) said the proposed law could require any owner, user, or operator of the bulk power system to abide by interim measures imposed on short notice by the government to address security threats rather than waiting for completion of lengthy rule making proceedings. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission chairman Joseph Kelliher said this authority should apply to a broad definition of national security threats that would include both physical attacks and cyber attacks.

For details on power grid security:
- see this cnet.com article

FCC pushes net neutrality

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:11:42 -0400

If Kevin Martin, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, gets his way, Internet providers will be barred from blocking their customers from downloading large video, music and software files. Martin last Friday recommended that Comcast, the nation's largest cable company and a major broadband provider, be sanctioned because it interfered with the Internet connections of customers exchanging files with other users. Martin is a strong advocate of network neutrality--the concept that Internet access providers should not control what flows over their networks. But Internet service providers want freedom to manage their networks as they see fit, saying they need to exercise controls to prevent overloads and slowdowns. Ultimately, they would like a tiered pricing schedule, charging larger users more money for their services. The FCC still must adopt Martin's recommendation for it to take effect. His plan calls for requiring Comcast to change its practices and disclose what it has already done. The broadband industry is not happy, and one could expect this fight to play out for some time in the regulatory arena, Congress, and perhaps the courts.

For more on this net fight:
- See the New York Times article

Farm workers vs IT workers on H-1B visas

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 06:59:59 -0400

Legislation to make it easier for foreign high tech workers to stay in the U.S. ran into a bit of a buzz saw last week from one lawmaker who wants the same kind of equity for immigrants further down the economic scale.

Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL) told a House Judiciary subcommittee hearing that the high tech companies should get "the innovators they need,'' but added that farm workers are "just as critical and relevant to the innovation of that industry." He urged the panel to take a "holistic approach" to immigration so that the most vulnerable "are not stigmatized by actions of the Congress."

His concerns reflect one of many elements involved in the contentious effort to reform the nation's immigration system, and why the push to separately raise caps on H-1B visas and green cards faces such a difficult time in Congress.

For more on the ongoing immigration debate:
- see this Computerworld.com article

How to dodge the H-1B visa scramble

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 07:59:59 -0400

While the fight continues over H-1B visas, some companies have been tapping into another kind of visa to get approval for foreign IT workers in the United States. They're called L-1 visas and they are non-immigrant visas that allow companies operating in both the United States and overseas to transfer certain classes of employees into the United States for up to seven years. The L-1A visa is a bit restrictive, however. It is for managers and executives, or for employees with specialized knowledge that cannot be found in the U.S.

"One regulation is that you'd have to have worked for the company outside the U.S. for at least a year - this will not help people right out of school," Robert Meltzer, an immigration attorney and CEO of VISANOW, an online immigration processing company, told eWeek. It's going to be an interesting week in the race for visas. On Tuesday, April 1, the application process will open for this year's 85,000 H-1B visas. If the past predicts the future, there will be such a flood of applications that it will close out by the end of the day. And the debate continues to rage in Congress, on the presidential campaign trail and at tech companies in need of qualified workers.

For more on the race for worker visas:
- Check out this eWeek article

Lawmakers seek to double H-1B visas

Mon, 17 Mar 2008 07:59:59 -0400

Efforts are underway in Congress to greatly expand the number of H-1B visas available for foreign workers. The Innovation Employment Act, proposed by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), would double the number of visas available this year. Opponents argue that an increase in H-1B visas would put many U.S. workers out of jobs. It's unlikely that the measure would pass this year, but this issue could become fodder in the unfolding presidential campaign.

For more on this visa story:
- see this eWeek.com article

Related Articles:
Why H-IB visas have a bad reputation. Article
A black market for H-1B visas. Article

Senator wants answers to H-1B snarl

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 07:59:59 -0400

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is looking for answers from the Bush administration, and soon. Grassley wants to know what progress has been made to make administrative changes to ease the difficulty in getting H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers, including those skilled for technology jobs.

Last year, Grassley asked Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to study and report on potential reforms for getting the highly sought work visas. Congress, though, has yet to receive word on any potential solutions.

For more on Grassley's request:
- See this InformationWeek article

IT jobs could head overseas

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:59:59 -0500

An IT trade group warned last week that business will head overseas unless Congress raises the annual cap on H-1B visas that allow foreign workers to hold positions in the United States. The Software & Information Industry Association said that it is a critical time for tech talent, and if there are not enough workers available domestically, the jobs will migrate to locations where tech workers are available. SIIA president Ken Wasch said keeping the tech industry growing will require immigration reform. Unless there are more workers to do the job, "we're creating an incentive for the industry to create knowledge centers outside the United States," he said.

Software industry workers are paid on average about $75,400, about 78 percent higher than the median wage for all workers in the private sector. The fight over H-1B workers and immigration reform, has been part of the presidential campaign debate, although Congress failed last year to enact any reforms. U.S. IT companies complain that there are not enough highly trained U.S. workers, and various surveys suggest that American companies will be losing their edge because there are not enough technology workers available in the U.S.

For more on IT jobs in jeopardy:
- Check out this ComputerWorld article

Tax cuts will help tech

Tue, 22 Jan 2008 07:00:00 -0500

The economic stimulus package currently under consideration by President Bush and Congress is likely to have benefits for many industries, including technology. While the details of the economic stimulus plan won't be finalized for several weeks, the early discussions signal that it will have tax cuts for the middle class and tax breaks for business. When lawmakers roll up their sleeves to work, the intention is to ease the pain that middle class taxpayers have been feeling and that many companies have been experiencing. And it will put real dollars in the pockets of consumers to spend money on durable items such as computers and other technology tools. It also is likely to rev up American businesses, too.

The devil is still in the details. Economic advisers would be wise to look at the complete picture of what works and what other band-aids are needed to help every sector of the economy. We look forward to seeing what emerges from this charged atmosphere that is prompting everyone to move quickly to fix a leaking dike. -Judi

Indian nationals receive half of H-1B visas

Thu, 17 Jan 2008 06:59:59 -0500

A new study shows that more than half of the 85,000 H-1B visas in 2006 were issued to Indian nationals--accounting for 54 percent of these highly desirable one-year visas. Other countries ranked far behind, including China, which received only nine percent. The study, by the National Science Board, also found that Canada, South Korea and the Philippines were issued three percent each. This is bad news for the tech industry which needs to tap the talent from many nations to help keep the sector growing. The NSB warned that U.S. science and engineering work "may decline rapidly over the next decade because of the aging of individuals with science and engineering applications." The number of baby-boomers with these skills who are eligible to retire is expected to triple. In another gloomy finding, the report said that American grade school students continue to lag behind in science and math when compared to students in other developed countries. And it said that Congress has "abandoned its commitment to lead in science and technology."

For more on the H-1B visa study:
- Check out this ComputerWorld article

10 Big Tech Problems

Thu, 06 Dec 2007 06:59:59 -0500

It was a very good year in many ways for technology. But it was a bad one too. There were a number of issues that did not turn out well, and they must be revisited in 2008. One involves the ongoing controversy over H-1B visas, which provide technology companies with the opportunity to hire skilled non-U.S. workers. Congress never reached a compromise to increase the current 85,000 yearly visas available. It is an issue that keeps growing as tech shortages crop up in the industry.

And no one was thinking far enough ahead on another big issue. Hackers are getting more sophisticated and have figured out a way to steal passwords. Security is an issue that will keep returning as a problem in 2008. The New Year will bring plenty of challenges for CIOs to protect their data and make sure that customer information is not free for the taking.

For more on issues that need attention:
- See this CIO Magazine Article