Posted by
Gray Ghost on Wednesday, April 08, 2009 10:05:20 AM
The Wall Street Journal (4/8, A1, Gorman), and the National Society of Professional Engineers, reports this morning that according to current and former national-security officials the US electrical grid has been penetrated by "cyberspies" that have left behind software programs that could be used to disrupt the system. The officials said the spies came from China, Russia and other countries and were believed to be on a mission to navigate the US electrical system and its controls. While they haven't sought to damage the power grid or other key infrastructure, officials warned they could try during a crisis or war. A senior intelligence official told the Journal, "The Chinese have attempted to map our infrastructure, such as the electrical grid. So have the Russians." Separately, a former Department of Homeland Security official said the "espionage appeared pervasive across the US and doesn't target a particular company or region, but noted that "they are growing." According to the officials, many of the intrusions were detected not by the companies in charge of the infrastructure but by US intelligence agencies. Officials said the nation's "water, sewage and other infrastructure systems also were at risk."
The
AP (4/8) reports, that the Pentagon spent more than $100 million in the last six months responding to and repairing damage from cyber attacks and other computer network problems, according to military leaders. Air Force Gen. Kevin Chilton, who heads U.S. Strategic Command, said the military is only beginning to track the costs, which are triggered by constant daily attacks against military networks ranging from the Pentagon to bases around the country. Army Brig. Gen. John Davis, who is the deputy commander for network operations, said "the money was spent on manpower, computer technology and contractors hired to clean up after both external probes and internal mistakes." Military leaders stated that the US "needs to invest more money in the military's computer capabilities, rather than pouring millions into repairs."
Has World War IV already begun?