US president Barack Obama has ordered an immediate 60-day review of the
online security of government IT systems to check for vulnerabilities.
The review will be led by Melissa Hathaway, who has served as cyber
co-ordination executive to the US Office of the Director of National
Intelligence. Hathaway will also serve as acting senior director for cyberspace
for the National Security and Homeland Security councils during the review
period.
"The national security and economic health of the US depend on the security,
stability and integrity of our nation's cyber space, both in the public and
private sectors," said John Brennan, assistant to the president for
counter-terrorism and homeland security.
"The president is confident that we can protect our nation's critical cyber
infrastructure while at the same time adhering to the rule of law and
safeguarding privacy rights and civil liberties."
Hathaway, a former consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton, has been charged in the
past with setting up online security systems for US intelligence agencies, and
is seen as a wise choice to set high standards.
Private companies are already gearing up to tender for contracts to secure
the national online infrastructure, and billions of dollars are expected to be
up for grabs.
Rick Howard, director of intelligence at managed security services firm
iDefense, welcomed the
move by Obama.
"Cyber warfare is now a real threat," he added. "Russian hackers,
individually and grouped into cartels, are good at attacking an opposing
government’s infrastructure in campaigns of annoyance and frustration."
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