Computer Security Act of 1987
ShorttitleComputer Security Act of 1987
LongtitleAn Act to provide for a computer standards program within the National Bureau of Standards, to provide for Government-wide computer security, and to provide for the training in security matters of persons who are involved in the management, operation, and use of Federal computer systems, and for other purposes.
ColloquialacronymCSA
Enacted by100th
Effective dateJanuary 8, 1988
Public law urlhttp://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/STATUTE-101/pdf/STATUTE-101-Pg1724.pdf
Cite public law100-235
Title amended15 U.S.C.: Commerce and Trade
Sections amended
  • § 271 et seq.
  • § 278g-3
  • § 278h
Leghisturlhttp://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d100:HR00145:@@@R
IntroducedinHouse
IntroducedbyDan Glickman (D-KS)
IntroduceddateJanuary 6, 1987
CommitteesHouse Government Operations, House Science, Space and Technology
Passedbody 1House
Passeddate 1June 22, 1987
Passedvote 1passed voice vote
Passedbody 2Senate
Passeddate 2December 21, 1987
Passedvote 2passed voice vote
SignedpresidentRonald Reagan
SigneddateJanuary 8, 1988

The Computer Security Act of 1987, Public Law No. 100-235 (H.R. 145), (Jan. 8, 1988), is a United States federal law enacted in 1987. It is intended to improve the security and privacy of sensitive information in federal computer systems and to establish minimally acceptable security practices for such systems. It requires the creation of computer security plans, and appropriate training of system users or owners where the systems would display, process or store sensitive information.[1]

Provisions

  • Assigned the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST, at the time named National Bureau of Standards) to develop standards of minimum acceptable practices with the help of the NSA
  • Requires establishment of security policies for Federal computer systems that contain sensitive information.
  • Mandatory security awareness training for federal employees that use those systems.

References

  1. ^ Rep. Glickman, Dan [D-KS-4 (1988-01-08). "H.R.145 - 100th Congress (1987-1988): Computer Security Act of 1987". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2025-07-30.