Bigger role against firms’ cyberthreats?


February 6, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

Bigger role against firms’ cyberthreats?

washington

A developing Senate plan that would bolster the government’s ability to regulate the computer security of companies that run critical industries is drawing strong opposition from businesses that say it goes too far and security experts who believe it should have even more teeth.

Legislation set to come out in the days ahead is intended to ensure that computer systems running power plants and other essential parts of the country’s infrastructure are protected from hackers, terrorists or other criminals. The Department of Homeland Security, with input from businesses, would select which companies to regulate; the agency would have the power to require better computer security, according to officials who described the bill. They spoke on condition of anonymity because lawmakers have not finalized all details.

Greek crisis talks for debt deal to continue

athens, greece

Crisis talks on a debt deal for Greece among the three leaders of parties supporting the coalition government were suspended and will continue today.

Greece is racing to finalize austerity reforms needed for a new $171 billion bailout without which it would face bankruptcy in late March. But in a country deep in recession, with unemployment at 19 percent, many politicians and unions oppose more austerity measures.

The three party leaders had a five-hour meeting late Sunday with Prime Minister Lucas Papademos but failed to reach an agreement.

Swiss banks to act

geneva

Two Swiss banks will this week outline their response to growing pressure from the U.S. to give up tax-evading American customers and the bankers who helped them.

Julius Baer Group and Zuercher Kantonalbank are among at least 11 Swiss banks targeted by U.S. authorities after a successful case against UBS AG that forced Switzerland’s biggest bank to hand over 4,450 clients’ files to Washington in 2010.

Vindicator wire reports

Selected local stocks

STOCK, DIVIDENDCLOSECHANGE

Aqua America, .66, 22.27 .00

Avalon Holdings,3.57—.21

Clear Channel, .77 69.55 1.81

Cortland Bancorp, 7.25.00

Farmers Nat., .125.60 .10

First Energy, 2.20, 43.51.11

FirstMerit Corp., .64,16.70 .47

First Niles Financial, .32,7.30.00

First Place Fin., .58.00

FNB Corp., .48,12.22.24

General Motors,26.181.87

General Electric, .68,19.02.27

Motors Liquidation, .04.00

Huntington Bank, .16, 5.89.11

JP Morgan Chase, 1.00,38.29.74

Key Corp, .12,8.24.30

LaFarge, 10.70 .07

Macy’s, .80, 36.12.89

Parker Hannifin, 1.56, 85.723.21

PNC, 1.40,62.202.39

RTI Intl. Metals,27.36.92

Simon Prop. Grp.,3.60,138.681.23

Stoneridge 10.45 .45

United Community Fin. 1.30.02

Selected prices at 4 p.m. Friday. Provided by Stifel Nicolaus. Not to be construed as an offer or recommendation to buy or sell any security.