DorobekInsider: Cyber-attack 2009 – what does it mean?

Technology

DorobekInsider: Cyber-attack 2009 – what does it mean?

There has been a big focus today on the cyber-attacks over the past few days. Some news outlets are reporting that the attacks may come from North Korea —...

Federal News Network Staff

July 8, 2009 6:57 pm

2 min read

There has been a big focus today on the cyber-attacks over the past few days. Some news outlets are reporting that the attacks may come from North Korea — something many people are already doubting given that country’s limited technology infrastructure.

I’ll be on DC’s NewsChannel 8’s Federal News Tonight at 7:30p ET talking about this. UPDATED: You can see the video of me on NewsChannel 8 tonight here.

I’ve been speaking to a number of people throughout the day about what this means. Many government cyber-security experts suggest that the timing of the attacks — starting on the Fourth of July — is probably not accidental.

The big question, actually, is whether this will spur further action by the Obama administration — for example, like naming of what we have all taken to calling the cyber-czar.

I’ll post additional resources later, but… for right now, if you’re looking for additional information…

Some resources:

* The DorobekInsider reader: Obama cyber policy review… At the end of May, the President announced the results of his 60-day top-to-bottom review of the nation’s cyber-security defenses. I have a number of resources — everything from links to the document itself to a Congressional Research Service Review. Find it all here.

* Cyber-czar candidates… We hear the appointment was to have happened July 13, but could that be stepped up given recent events? GovInfoSecurity.com is hearing the same names that I’m hearing. I hear there are three names under serious consideration:

Melissa Hathaway, who got high marks for leading the Obama cyber-security review
Fred Kramer, who served as the assistant defense secretary for international security affairs under President Clinton
Howard Schmidt, former Microsoft chief security advisor and former adviser to Bush on cyberspace security

Others mentioned include former Rep. Tom Davis — he tells Federal News Radio 1500 AM’s Max Cacas he’s not interested — among others.

* 5 Fed Cybersecurity Priorities for the Summer from GovInfoSecurity.com.. a great read…