Which of the following is a 1996 United States federal law, designed to improve the way the federal government acquires, uses, and disposes information technology?

Question

Options

• ALanham Act
• BClinger-Cohen Act
• CComputer Misuse Act
• DPaperwork Reduction Act

• A
  3% (1)
• B
  94% (30)
• C
  3% (1)

Explanation

Option B, the Clinger-Cohen Act (1996), formally known as the Information Technology Management Reform Act, was enacted specifically to reform how the U.S. federal government acquires, manages, and disposes of IT resources - it also established the role of Chief Information Officer (CIO) in federal agencies.

Why the distractors are wrong:

• A. Lanham Act - a 1946 trademark law governing brand names and false advertising, unrelated to IT.
• C. Computer Misuse Act - a UK law (1990) criminalizing unauthorized computer access; not U.S. federal law.
• D. Paperwork Reduction Act - a U.S. law (1980, amended 1995) focused on reducing federal paperwork and reporting burdens, not IT acquisition reform specifically.

Memory tip: Think "Clinger-Cohen = CIO Creator" - the Act is famous for mandating that federal agencies appoint Chief Information Officers, so if you remember CIO, you remember Clinger-Cohen.

No community discussion yet for this question.