Germany Plans Heightened IT Security

German Interior Minister Otto Schily on Tuesday announced plans to increase computer security. Presenting the government's "National Plan to Protect Information Infrastructure in Germany" at an IT security conference, Schily said he wanted to enact concrete measures before the parliament's summer recess. "Specifically regarding the aspect of possible terrorist threats, the federal government considers informational security a national priority," said Schily, adding that both the economy and society relied on IT systems that were protected against failure. The plan calls for greater prevention of computer threats and improved capability to respond to IT attacks.