Homeland Security secretary proposes 'Manhattan Project'

Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff

(Credit: Charles Cooper/CNET News.com)

Risks from cyberattacks are increasing and the consequences are so great that the country needs a "Manhattan Project" for network security, Michael Chertoff, secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said in a keynote on Tuesday at RSA 2008.

"We need a game-changer with how we deal with attacks," he said. "In January, the president signed a homeland security directive, for a national cybersecurity initiative...almost like a Manhattan Project."

"Cyberthreats have enabled terrorists and criminals to do the kind of damage they would never be able to contemplate doing in the real world."

--Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff

"Cyberthreats have enabled terrorists and criminals to do the kind of damage they would never be able to contemplate doing in the real world," he said.

For example, a botnet denial-of-service attack shut down the Estonian government last year for about two weeks, according to Chertoff. "It went beyond simple mischief, and represented an actual threat to government to govern its country."

"A single individual, a small group of people, or a nation-state can exact the kind of damage or disruption that in years past only came when you dropped bombs or set off explosives," he added.

The government needs the "best and brightest" from Silicon Valley and elsewhere in the private sector to work on creating an advanced warning system to prevent such cyberattacks.

"We face a very serious challenge and it's only likely to grow more serious as time passes," Chertoff said. "We're operating in a domain in which traditional military power or the power of the government is insufficient to address the full nature of the threat. A command and control response will simply not be adequate. We need a network response to deal with a network attack."

During a question-and-answer session afterward, Chertoff defended the government's Real ID law, which would create a uniform national ID card. Chertoff said the card would make the country's buildings and airplanes more safe from terrorists. Opponents say the inconvenience and privacy concerns outweigh any perceived benefits.

Chertoff asked rhetorically, when choosing between an airline that allows people without identification to board and one that doesn't, "which airline would you put your children on?"

[scdecade]

How would this help?

The primary threat to the peace and security of the American people is the federal government. They were responsible for 9/11, they lied about the pretense for war, they torture people, and they unilaterally revoked the 4th amendment to the Constitution. I'd burn my own eyelids off with a torch before I helped the government keep secrets from the people.

[n3td3v]

The DHS has no credibility left

"Cyberthreats have enabled terrorists and criminals to do the kind of damage they would never be able to contemplate doing in the real world."

You should have thought about that before you invaded Iraq you ******* wank.

All the best,

n3td3v

[russkeller]

The Right Idea Wrong Government

Finally someone IN government points out the obvious. Now if only we can keep the vultures from milking it and get people on board who are going to do the job. I find that part doubtful.

[Lee in San Diego]

The best defense is a ...

The best defense is a good offense. If you can defend against a
cyber attack you know to conduct one.

[jake989]

Chertoff is a Zen koan

To say that we need a 'Manhattan project' for computer security is to unask your own question because it's so clueless. To think that you can fight an asymmetric, distributed threat with a top down government-funded project indicates how out of touch this guy is with anything approaching reality.

As for the 'which plane would you board', this response is a direct appeal to people's fears. The 9/11 bombers _had valid identification_.

Can we have a law saying we can sue the DHS for malpractice?

[scdecade]

Wow

Amen. Very well said.

[DemiHampster]

Militarization of Cyberspace

No one has ever been killed in cyberspace. If the government is
that worried, maybe they should just stay the f*ck out. Problem
solved.