U.S. Sees “Huge” Cyber Threat in the Future

Reuters reports, in an article by Phil Stewart dated November 16, 2010, that, according to none other than U.S Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, "The United States faces a major threat in the future from cyber technologies that will require civil-military coordination to shield networks from attack."  

Speaking at the Wall Street Journal's 2010 CEO Council, which concluded only yesterday (11/16/10), Secretary Gates said, "'I think there is a huge future threat. And there is a considerable current threat. And that's just the reality that we will face.'"

According to Reuters, officials at the Department of Defense "estimate[] that over 100 foreign intelligence organizations have attempted to break into U.S. networks. Every year, hackers also steal enough data from U.S. government agencies, businesses and universities to fill the U.S. Library of Congress many times over."

While the U.S. military has made considerable advances in securing and protecting its own networks from attack, the military's private-sector partners (e.g. Lockheed Martin Corp., Boeing Co., and Northrop Grumman Corp., to name a few), do not have comparable knowledge and resources.  According to Secretary Gates, the military has begun taking steps "'to bring [those private-sector partners] under that [secure] umbrella.'"

Security and protection of the military's networks is due, in large part, to the National Security Agency.  However, according to Secretary Gates, "'[y]ou cannot replicate the [NSA] for domestic affairs. There isn't enough money. There isn't enough time. And there isn't enough human talent.'"

The Obama Administration is mindful of the divide in resources and capabilities between the civilian sector and the military. Indeed, just last month the NSA and the Department of Homeland Security (a civilian organization), agreed to greater cooperation and coordination.  Speaking of NSA-DHS cooperation, Secretary Gates said "[having] the domestic security agency, DHS, being able to reach into NSA in a real-time way to get the kind of protection we need . . . will [hopefully bring] better protections for both ".gov" and ".com."'"

The full Reuters article can be found above or here.