WHAT:
A talk by Richard Clarke, President Bush's Special Advisor for Cyberspace Security, on the threat terrorists pose to this country's computer network systems. He will discuss the Bush administration's plans for addressing vulnerabilities to the information technology infrastructure. The public is welcome to attend.

WHEN:
4-5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 18.

WHERE:
Hewlett Packard Auditorium, Room 306, Soda Hall, the University of California, Berkeley. Enter through the west side of Soda Hall.

WHO:
Clarke was appointed by National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice and Director of Homeland Security Tom Ridge in October 2001.

Previously, Clarke held several senior national security positions under four presidents, starting with Ronald Reagan. Most recently, Clarke served as National Coordinator for Security, Infrastructure Protection, and Counter-terrorism on the National Security Council in the Clinton administration.

BACKGROUND:
Clarke and several federal officials have emphasized the need to defend the United States against an "electronic Pearl Harbor." Some experts say cyberattacks could disrupt computer systems that control transit, banking, telecommunications and utilities such as water and electricity.

Earlier this month, the House voted to provide $800 million in grants over the next five years for research related to protection of computer networks against cyberattacks. Congress is also considering a bill that would increase penalties for some computer crimes to life imprisonment. Prison terms for cybercrimes are currently limited to 10 years.

Clarke's visit is sponsored by the Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Sciences and the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society at UC Berkeley.