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Bush Looks to Beef Up Protection Against Cyberattacks
From: <rms () computerbytesman com>
Date: Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:31:32 -0500
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120147963641320851.html?mod=politics_primary _hs Bush Looks to Beef Up Protection Against Cyberattacks Estimated Cost Could Be $6 Billion; Democrats Are Wary By SIOBHAN GORMAN January 28, 2008; Page A8 WASHINGTON -- President Bush has promised a frugal budget proposal next month, but one big-ticket item is stirring controversy: an estimated $6 billion to build a secretive system protecting U.S. communication networks from attacks by terrorists, spies and hackers. Administration officials and lawmakers say that the prospect of cyberterrorists hacking into a nuclear-power plant or paralyzing Wall Street is becoming possible, and that the U.S. isn't prepared. This is "one area where we have significant work to do," Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said in a recent interview. The White House's proposal has already dismayed lawmakers concerned about civil-liberties violations. Democratic lawmakers are also frustrated by what they see as the White House's refusal to provide details of the program, and say that could threaten the fate of the initiative. Protecting private computer systems would likely require the government to install sensors on private, company networks, officials familiar with the initiative said. Amid divisiveness about other government-surveillance programs, having the government monitor Internet traffic, even in the name of national security, will be a hard sell to Congress and the public. Cybersecurity specialists say the threat ranges from terrorists hacking into nuclear-power control systems, banks or subways, to foreign governments secretly implanting software to siphon off Pentagon secrets from the government and military contractors. Last week, a Central Intelligence Agency analyst reported that cyberattacks have disrupted power equipment in unspecified regions outside the U.S. In at least one case, he said, the attack knocked out power in multiple cities. The outages were followed with extortion demands. .
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Current thread:
- Bush Looks to Beef Up Protection Against Cyberattacks rms (Jan 28)
- Re: Bush Looks to Beef Up Protection Against Cyberattacks Dude VanWinkle (Jan 29)