Preventing a Pearl Harbor of cyberspace

At a time when the Internet has been inextricably linked to our national infrastructure, there are understandably serious concerns about the ability of the U.S. power grid to withstand a coordinated attack from hackers in cyberspace. The Internet has become the back door and front door to controlling nearly every aspect of our national infrastructure. Something as relatively simple as a Google search could lead hackers to possible entry points for controlling a nuclear power plant. At his confirmation hearing this summer, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned that, "There’s a strong likelihood that the next Pearl Harbor we confront could very well be a cyberattack that cripples our power systems, our grid, our security systems, our financial systems, our governmental system."

By Dominic Basulto

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