The FBI has called upon hackers to help it fight cybercrime.
Speaking at the Black Hat security conference in Las Vegas, Daniel Larkin from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) appealed for hackers to lend their “expertise and input as we develop strategies to battle cybercrime in the 21st century”.
US federal agencies have increasingly sought the help of the private sector as security threats grow ever more sophisticated.
"The people we're going after are not just the script kiddies anymore,” Larkin told his audience of hackers and security professionals. “I used to be really afraid of you all. But I realise that you are all really important.
"Critical information on terrorism and cybercrimes could be in your hands and might be in your hands before they reach ours."
Larkin estimated that one in 10 people attending this year’s conference are law enforcement professionals. He warned the hackers: "Be nice to them. They are here to help you, they’re here to team up."
Security consultants responded nervously to the FBI’s appeal. "It is not reassuring," Californian security consultant Tom Thomas told Cnet. "It confirms what we already suspect. There is great technical inadequacy, if not downright ineptness, at the FBI. Therefore they are seeking help from almost anyone."
Do you agree?
Expert here
what kinda work you guys lookin for??? Maybe i could help...
Posted by Damien, 05 Aug 2006
it's about time
The last thought is true of the federal government asking "anyone" to help, which means calling all their "Citizens" together to help protect us. Stand Together Or Fall Divided! I get the point and it is "revealing" and "troubling" that they are admitting to needing more. But... we all know it is the truth anyway!
I have been looking into becoming an amateur civilian pc researcher/a.k.a. hacker: and the fact of the matter (for me, anyway) is that we ALL can't be a police officer, judge, lawyer, engineer, or Federal Top Security Cleared AGENT!!!!!!
Does that mean I should sit on my behind just yearning to contribute solutions, and upgrade my personal experience?
I HOPE NOT. What kind of democracy ignores the private sector??? That divison promotes underground uses and crime.
Posted by Melinda, 07 Aug 2006