By Andy Sullivan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A key U.S lawmaker said Monday that he was planning to introduce legislation that would shield information about computer networks from public inquiry to encourage cooperative efforts toward boosting cyber security.

Sen. Bob Bennett, a Utah Republican widely regarded as an expert on technology issues, said the move was necessary to encourage high-tech companies to share confidential information with the government and build defenses against hackers.

``Government and industry have to start talking to each other in ways they never have before,'' Bennett told a gathering of telecommunications and Internet executives hosted by the Electronic Industries Alliance.

Under the 1966 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), government agencies are required to disclose records requested in writing by members of the public. Agencies can refuse to divulge information if they determine it would compromise national security or confidential trade secrets, or for other reasons.

Bennett said he would seek to create an exemption similar to the one contained in a 1998 law that sought to help businesses prepare for Year 2000 computer problems.

Bennett told reporters that he would probably introduce the bill within the next two to three months, but declined to discuss specifics further.

``I'm still sufficiently uncertain that I'd lock myself into anything at this point,'' he said.

Dave McCurdy, president of the Internet Security Alliance trade group, said the Bush administration had told him it supported approaches like Bennett's.

Efforts to collaborate on cybersecurity have been slowed by fears that confidential information could be made public, McCurdy said.

``The Administration has made clear they'd like to see some progress on FOIA'' exemptions, he said.

McCurdy said a letter from the Justice Department last week assured him that industry efforts to collaborate on cyber security would not raise antitrust concerns.

A Justice Department spokeswoman was not immediately available for comment.