Santa Maria Sun / News

Political Watch 2.25

Cast your vote: Members of the Santa Maria Valley Democratic Club and Young Democrats of America will be holding a door-to-door voter registration drive in Santa Maria on March 7 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call 720-0851.

Earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Cyber Security Enhancement Act of 2009. The legislation, approved by a vote of 422 to 5, will strengthen the nation’s cyber security capabilities in both the public and private sector and includes measures to train more cyber security workers, fund research and development, and promote a cyber security education and awareness campaign for the general public. The bill builds upon recommendations made as a result of a cyberspace policy review requested by the Obama Administration. In a release to the media, U.S. Rep. Lois Capps praised the bill’s passage: “Information technology is playing an increasingly significant role in all of our lives by bringing people together, providing access to information, and facilitating commerce,” Capps said in the release. “Unfortunately our increased reliance on information technology has also made it an appealing target for cyber criminals. This legislation will enhance our cyber security efforts in order to address this growing vulnerability. It will help us develop the standards we need to protect our networks and critical infrastructure while additionally training the skilled cyber security workforce of tomorrow.”