[funsec] Bush Looks to Beef Up Protection Against Cyberattacks

[rms at computerbytesman.com]

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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