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Computer Security Act of 1987

Public Law 100-235 · H.R. 145 · 100th Congress · began in the House

Signed by Ronald Reagan (R) on Jan 8, 1988 · Government Operations and Politics

Sponsor: Rep. Daniel Glickman (D-KS-4)

Cosponsors (11): Rep. Jack Brooks,

Passage votes

  • HouseVoice vote
  • SenateVoice vote
Data notes

The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.

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Summary

The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.

Computer Security Act of 1987 - Directs the National Bureau of Standards to establish a computer standards program for Federal computer systems, including guidelines for the security of such systems. Sets forth authorities of the Bureau in implementing such standards. Requires the Bureau to draw upon computer system technical security guidelines developed by the National Security Agency regarding protecting sensitive information.

Establishes a Computer System Security and Privacy Advisory Board within the Department of Commerce to: (1) identify, and advise the Bureau and the Secretary of Commerce on, issues relating to computer systems security and privacy; and (2) report findings to the Secretary, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Director of the National Security Agency, and the appropriate congressional committees.

Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to require the Secretary to promulgate standards and guidelines pertaining to Federal computer systems on the basis of standards developed by the Bureau. Authorizes the President to disapprove or modify such standards and guidelines if such action would be in the public interest. Requires that notice of such disapproval or modification be submitted to the House Committee on Government Operations and the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs and published in the Federal Register. Directs the Secretary to rescind or modify such standards or guidelines as directed by the President.

Requires each agency to provide mandatory periodic training in computer security, under guidelines developed by the Bureau, for all employees involved with the management, use, or operation of computer systems. Authorizes the use of an approved alternative training program determined by the agency head to meet the objectives of such guidelines.

Requires each agency with a Federal computer system to establish a plan for the security and privacy of sensitive information. Requires the submission of such plans to the Bureau and the National Security Agency for advice and comment. Subjects such plans to disapproval by the Office of Management and Budget.

Provides that nothing in this Act shall be construed to: (1) constitute authority to withhold information sought under the Freedom of Information Act; or (2) authorize any Federal agency to limit, restrict, regulate, or control the collection, maintenance, disclosure, use, transfer, or sale of any information that is privately-owned information, information disclosable under the Freedom of Information Act or other law requiring or authorizing the public disclosure of information, or information in the public domain.

Committees

The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.

Data notes

A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.

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Timeline

From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 25 actions.

  1. Jan 8, 1988Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 100-235.
  2. Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
  3. Dec 30, 1987PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
  4. Dec 21, 1987FloorFloor · Passed Senate without amendment by Voice Vote.
  5. Jun 25, 1987FloorFloor · Read twice and held at the desk by unanimous consent.
  6. Jun 22, 1987FloorFloor · Passed House (Amended) by Voice Vote.
  7. Jun 11, 1987CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Oversight and Government Reform Committee
  8. CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  9. May 20, 1987CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  10. Apr 29, 1987CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Transportation, Aviation and Materials Subcommittee of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  11. CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Transportation, Aviation and Materials Subcommittee of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  12. Apr 9, 1987CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Science, Research and Technology Subcommittee of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  13. CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Science, Research and Technology Subcommittee of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  14. Apr 7, 1987CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Oversight and Government Reform Committee
  15. Apr 2, 1987CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Military and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee
  16. CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Military and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee
  17. Mar 17, 1987CommitteeCommittee · Hearings by Military and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee
  18. Feb 26, 1987CommitteeCommittee · Hearings by Science, Research and Technology Subcommittee of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  19. CommitteeCommittee · Hearings by Transportation, Aviation and Materials Subcommittee of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  20. Feb 5, 1987CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Science, Research and Technology Subcommittee of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  21. CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Transportation, Aviation and Materials Subcommittee of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  22. Jan 16, 1987CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Military and Foreign Affairs Subcommittee of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee
  23. Jan 6, 1987CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Oversight and Government Reform Committee
  24. CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Science, Space, and Technology Committee
  25. IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the House
Data notes

Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.

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Official record

The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.