Texas Congressman Fears U.S. Open To Cyberattacks

Team Infidel

Forum Spin Doctor
Houston Chronicle
October 30, 2007 Lawmaker helps form panel to find ways to improve network security
By Michelle Mittelstadt, Houston Chronicle Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — Concerned that policymakers are underestimating the threat of high-tech attacks on sensitive U.S. computer systems, U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul and others are forming a blue-ribbon panel to propose ways to improve network security.
The panel, to be unveiled today, is being formed under the leadership of the nonpartisan Center for Strategic and International Studies, which recently was involved in the Iraq Study Group.
McCaul, an Austin Republican who represents portions of western Harris County, hopes the cyber-security panel can have the same effect on policy as the Iraq Study Group and the Sept. 11 Commission.
"My view is that since Sept. 11 we've been very focused on the physical threats, as we should be, but very little attention has been paid to the virtual threats — the cyber-attacks to our network systems ranging from mischief to criminal acts or espionage," McCaul said.
He is the top Republican on the Homeland Security Committee's emerging threats and cyber security subcommittee.
With the United States and 24 other countries developing programs to wage war using computers, attacks by foreign governments or terrorists on sensitive U.S. government, critical infrastructure and financial network systems cannot be discounted, McCaul said. China, for example, has been suspected of hacking into Defense Department networks — a claim its government denies.
Cyber-attackers could disable America's power grids, open dam gates, discharge raw sewage into waterways, disrupt financial markets or manipulate banking records, McCaul said.
"When you talk to the experts in the field, they refer to this as the Wild West. There really are so many vulnerabilities out there that are not being mitigated and protected," he said.
The Commission on Cyber Security expects to make re-commendations before January 2009, when the next president takes over.
Among the members: retired Adm. Bobby Inman, a University of Texas professor who served as director of the National Security Agency and deputy director of the CIA.
"I think this is going to be a real blue-ribbon panel that should produce results that won't end up on the shelf," McCaul said.
 
Back
Top