Gates: Cyberattacks a constant threat
Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Tuesday that the United States is "under cyberattack virtually all the time, every day" and that the Defense Department plans to more than quadruple the number of cyber experts it employs to ward off such attacks.
In an interview for an upcoming edition of 60 Minutes, CBS News anchor Katie Couric asked Gates about the nation's cybersecurity after hackers stole specifications from a $300 billion fighter jet development program as well as other sensitive information.
In a series of spy attacks, hackers stole information about the Pentagon's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter project and the Air Force's air traffic control system, according to a Wall Street Journal report Tuesday.
The computer spies copied several terabytes of data from the Joint Strike Fighter project, the most expensive in Defense Department history, pertaining to the electronics and design systems of the aircraft, several current and former officials told the Journal.
Officials said the separate incursion into the air traffic control system could allow intruders to interfere with military aircraft.
Gates would not discuss the specifics of the attacks, but said, "I believe we still have security of the sensitive systems."
Generally, "We think we have pretty good control of our sensitive information both with respect to intelligence and equipment systems, but we, like everybody else, is under attack. Banks are under attack. Every country is under attack," Gates told Couric.
But, he said, "It's sometimes very difficult to figure out a home address on these attacks so one of the things that I am doing in the budget is significantly increasing the resources for cyber experts. We're going to more than quadruple the number of experts that we have in this area. We're devoting a lot more money to it."
The source of the espionage appears to be China, according to a former official, though the origin of any attacks could be masked. Chinese officials deny any involvement and say U.S. suspicion is the result of a "Cold War mentality."
Similar attacks have become more frequent in recent months, underscoring the increasingly heated battles taking place in cyberspace. Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal reported that Russian and Chinese spies gained access to the U.S. electrical grid, inserting software that could disrupt the system.
In the Joint Strike Fighter attack, officials said that while spies made off with some data, the most sensitive information is stored on separate, non-networked computers. But the vulnerability lies in the Pentagon's reliance on private defense contractors, some foreign, who have less-than-secure networks. The breaches apparently took place in Turkey and another U.S. ally nation, according to the report.
While there is no U.S. agency currently dedicated solely to cybersecurity, the Obama administration is expected to propose a senior White House post to coordinate military efforts to guard against further breaches. The White House may also look to extend a $17 billion security initiative originally planned by the Bush administration.
"This is going to be an enduring problem and it is going to be a challenge not just for the Department of Defense but for the entirety of the United States," Gates said.
isnt this info on a private government network?
isnt that network secured?
the answer to at least of those questions is a "no", but its easier to place blame then accept responsibility
Maybe the gov should stop messing with the public net and start building a separate private net that not just anyone can get on. Only important systems and infrastructure with redesigned protocols, but only important networks and government agencies could use it. Joe citizen couldn't use it.
Doesn't even matter if it doesn't work. It would create crap tons of jobs. Use stimulus money. After all, how's the tech industry doing? People need jobs right? Let's lay some fiber! Oh no, the government won't do that though. They don't really want to create jobs. They just want to diddle with the public net. That's what all these articles are really about.
If they have to rely on foreign private defense contractors (to save money) , they should make sure they have secure networks. It's a no-brainer.
- by crazynexus April 22, 2009 5:51 AM PDT
- the JSF program is just that.. JOINT strike fighter. It's called Joint because it's going to be used to replace the F-16 as an interceptor in many countries, and so far Turkey, Britain (they and the US are the primary researchers and have pumped the most money into it), Israel, Australia, Canada, and about 5 other countries are signed on. In order to actually get the plane, however, you have to commit money to the R and D of it. So, by default, all of those countries will get access to info, and will also contribute R and D to the plane itself. People griping about the US using foreign defense contractors is wrong.. the countries that are part of the program are using in house defense contractors for them.. it'd be like the US using Lockheed Martin. According to Lockheed, no confidential information was stolen. the JSF is going to be a remarkable plane, as it will only be exceeded in abilities by the F-22. it's going to be replacing the A-10, the F-18 A/b/c/d variants, the AV 8B Harrier, The F-16, and the EA6B Prowler. the JSF will have 3 variants, with the C variant only being used by the US Navy for carrier landings.
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- by Commander_Spock April 22, 2009 8:23 AM PDT
- Re: "[... the JSF program is just that.. JOINT strike fighter. It's called Joint because it's going to be used to replace the F-16 as an interceptor in many countries, and so far Turkey, Britain (they and the US are the primary researchers and have pumped the most money into it), Israel, Australia, Canada, and about 5 other countries are signed on. In order to actually get the plane, however, you have to commit money to the R and D of it....]"
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- by crazynexus April 22, 2009 10:08 AM PDT
- Can't say I do, especially since apparently the JSF engine is louder than a F-15 on take off.. sounds like they're going for more thrust with the new engine.
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- by Commander_Spock April 22, 2009 1:17 PM PDT
- Re: "Can't say I do, especially since apparently the JSF engine is louder than a F-15 on take off.. sounds like they're going for more thrust with the new engine..."
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(22 Comments)Yo Dude, Do ya know how/where "funds" can be obtained for a joint research project to develop a "quieter engine" for the "Concorde"?
"Jobs-Baby-Jobs"!
If nations around the world can find "PEACE" just imagine how many hospitals, schools, cruise ships... around the world can be built with all of that "cash" that is going into military spending.
How about if leaders having disputes mount on horse backs with their lances!!! And, hackers when caught duel in boxing rings.