Source: Jaikumar Vijayan, Computer World.
Computerworld – A reported federal government plan calling for the National Security Agency to monitor critical infrastructure networks to detect possible cyberattacks is drawing qualified support from security analysts.
Under the plan, first reported by the Wall Street Journal yesterday, the spy agency would monitor those U.S. companies and government agencies that operate critical infrastructure, including electricity grids and nuclear power plants. The report said that as part of the so-called Perfect Citizen program, the NSA would insert sensors in computer networks that would be programmed to alert officials to activity that could portend a cyberattack.
Analysts said the need for such monitoring is long overdue given the escalating threats against government, military and private sector networks. However, they cautioned that the government must tread carefully in having the nation’s chief eavesdropping agency oversee the monitoring.
“I think we don’t have a choice,” said James Lewis, director and senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. “This is the way to go.”
Lewis led a team that prepared a set of cybersecurity recommendations for President Obama in Dec. 2008.
NSA plan to oversee cybersecurity plan draws cautious support
Published: July 8, 2010