NSA to defend against hackers

[sabra]

Source: Baltimore Sun

WASHINGTON - In a major shift, the National Security Agency is drawing up plans for a new domestic assignment: helping protect government and private communications networks from cyberattacks and infiltration by terrorists and hackers, according to current and former intelligence officials.

From electricity grids to subways to nuclear power plants, the United States depends more than ever on Internet-based control systems that could be manipulated remotely in a terrorist attack, security specialists say.

The plan calls for the NSA to work with the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies to monitor such networks to prevent unauthorized intrusion, according to those with knowledge of what is known internally as the "Cyber Initiative." Details of the project are highly classified.

Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell, a former NSA chief, is coordinating the initiative. It will be run by the Department of Homeland Security, which has primary responsibility for protecting domestic infrastructure, including the Internet, current and former officials said.

Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/bal-te.nsa20sep20,0,7906814.story?coll=bal_tab01_layout

[tridim]

1. True hackers are about 1000 times smarter than the NSA

Good luck Big Brother.

[Ian David]

2. Sure the Bush-Appointed NSA guys will do a heckuva job.

They'll get right on it, as soon as they're done illegally wiretapping progressive activists and Democratic candidates.

And listening-in on our phonesex conversations with the women who live in the impoverished former Soviet Republics.

[damntexdem]

4. In this regime, it will be the hacks taking on the hackers.

Who do you think will win?

[GliderGuider]

3. I had a Duh! moment earlier today

Internet Security moving toward "white list"

Only grant access to recognized apps.
*sheesh*

[Highway61]

5. Duh

China already hacked into the pentagon. Closing the gate after the horse got out?