2006 tech agenda

The Information Technology Association of America recently released its agenda of priorities the industry wants to see Congress address in 2006. Many of these issues affect you, the IT leader. Here are some of the highlights from the ITAA’s 2006 tech agenda:

* Federal IT contractors are waiting for security clearance reform mandated by the 2004 Intelligence Reform and Terrorist Prevention Act. There are approximately 300,000 military, federal and contractor employees still awaiting to have their clearance applications processed and the backlog needs to be cleared.

* In order to feed the pipeline of tech talent, the ITAA wants the government to double the number of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) graduates from 400,000 to 800,000 annually over the next 10 years.

* There’s likely to be more restrictions on the use of foreign workers carrying out government contracts. 2005 saw 195 anti-outsourcing bills introduced in 45 states. With widespread state elections in 2006, the ITAA notes that a number of similar bills is likely to be introduced. Controls are also likely to be tightened on foreign tech labor.

* Expect to see a national security breach notification law that would require companies to notify individuals if their personal information is improperly obtained. The ITAA favors a reasonable law at the national level to unify the myriad of requirements businesses face at the state level.

* The tech industry is watching progress towards “network neutrality.” The issue is whether broadband networks can follow the cable business model and decide what content and applications it can carry on its networks, or if operators are obligated not to discriminate among competing applications. The FCC recently barred Verizon and AT&T from interfering with content and applications carried on their networks.

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