U.S. Senator Proposes NET Guard
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) today called for the formation of a National Emergency Technology Guard (NET Guard) to mobilize as a technological equivalent of the military’s National Guard in times of national crisis, including terror attacks and natural disasters. To complement other disaster response efforts, Wyden suggested that U.S. information technology (IT) companies could organize and lead a national volunteer response team to quickly reactivate and safeguard the nation’s communication capability and infrastructure in times of critical need.
"As we seek to prevent future disasters, we must still prepare to meet them. I believe the technology professionals of this nation, like all Americans, are ready to answer the call and do their part," said Wyden. "The formation of a National Emergency Technology Guard will give them that chance, and insure greater safety and stability for our communities and our citizens in the coming days."
The September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon temporarily crippled much of the communications infrastructure of New York, Washington, DC, and other parts of the nation, hampering rescue and response efforts. Wireless telephone networks were severely overloaded and crashed. Wireless Internet access was suspended. Telephone lines were cut, and communications, for many people, came to a standstill. Rescue workers, victims, families and aid groups struggled to coordinate their communication and technology needs.
NET Guard would be a national volunteer organization of trained and well-coordinated units of IT professionals from U.S. technology companies. These units would stand ready with designated computer equipment, satellite dishes, wireless communicators and other resources to quickly recreate and repair compromised communications and technology infrastructures. Volunteers would be designated from existing human resource pools at major and medium sized firms and these IT professionals would be trained to perform specific tasks in the event of an emergency.
Wyden, chair of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Space, intends to initiate a dialogue among government, corporate, military and non-profit leaders to begin a new effort to mobilize information technology in times of crisis.
