US to set out cyber security plan
US President Barack Obama is to set out plans for securing American
computer networks against cyber attacks.
In a speech that follows a 60-day review, Mr Obama is expected to
announce the creation of a cyber security office in the White House.
Both US government and military bodies have reported repeated
interference from hackers in recent years.
In a separate development, the Pentagon is to create a new military
command for cyber space, the New York Times said.
Mr Obama will not discuss the Pentagon plan during Friday's
announcement, the newspaper said.
But he is expected to sign a classified order to establish the military
command in coming weeks, it reported, citing officials.
'Serious threats'
The 60-day review was carried out by Melissa Hathaway, who has been
serving as interim White House cyber security adviser.
The new office is expected to co-ordinate a multi-billion dollar effort
designed to restrict access to government computers and to protect
systems - such as those that run the stock exchange and air traffic
control - that keep the country going, reports BBC defence and security
correspondent Rob Watson.
HACKING THE US
# April 2009: US government admits power grid is vulnerable after media
reports that Chinese and Russian spies have planted software that could
shut it down
# April 2009: China denies hacking into a system containing data on a
new US fighter jet
# Nov 2008: Congressional panel says China has stepped up computer-based
espionage and is stealing "vast amounts" of sensitive information
# Sep 2007: China denies reports its military hacked into the Pentagon
in June of that year
US media reports say Mr Obama will also announce the creation of a
"cyber tsar" position to co-ordinate government efforts on this issue.
Earlier this week, a White House spokesman said the review was the first
step towards securing America's cyber infrastructure.
"The administration recognises the very serious threats public and
private sector networks face from cyber crime and cyber attack," Robert
Gibbs said on Tuesday.
"Recognising these threats, the president has elevated cyber security to
a major administration priority."
The US is particularly dependent on its computer networks and therefore
particularly vulnerable to cyber attacks.
In 2007 alone the Pentagon reported nearly 44,000 incidents of what it
called malicious cyber activity carried out by foreign militaries,
intelligence agencies and individual hackers, our correspondent says.
Experts have warned particularly of attempts by Chinese government
hackers to access official computers - something China denies.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.
Published: 2009/05/29 11:57:05 GMT
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