U.S. soldiers on “virtual missions” (IMAGE – U.S. Army)Patrick Tucker, Defense One: The U.S. Still Doesn't Know Who’s In Charge if Massive Cyber Attack Strikes Nation
Cyber physical attacks on infrastructure may be an unlikely sneak attack, but if it happens, the chain of command is far from clear.
The threat of a massive cyber attack on civilian infrastructure, leading to loss of life and perhaps billions in damages, has kept lawmakers on edge since before former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned of it back in 2012 (or the fourth Die Hard movie in 2007). Many experts believe that a sneak attack would be highly unlikely. But if one were to occur today, DHS and the Defense Department wouldn’t exactly know who is in charge.
The Department of Homeland Security has the lead in responding to most cyber attacks. But the Department of Defense Cyber Strategy, published in April, carves out a clear role for the military and Cyber Command in responding to any sort of cyber attack of “significant consequence.”
Specifically, the strategy tasks the 13 different National Mission Force teams, cyber teams specifically set up to defend the the United States and its interests from attacks of significant consequence, with carrying out exercises with other agencies and setting up emergency procedures. It’s the third strategic goal in the strategy. It’s also “probably the one that’s the least developed at this – at this point,” Lt. Gen. James K. McLaughlin, the deputy commander of U.S. Cyber Command, said at a Center for Strategic and International Studies event last month.
WNU Editor: Apparently no one.
1 comment:
I do love these guys and their ideas of security. The above pic is a classic. Someone signed off on this with the probable idea that it doesn't really show anything. Somewhere somebodies ferrets are or would have a field day with this photo.
First you have complete keyboard layouts shown, with highlighted keys very clear. How the operators sit in relation to each other. The type of computer being used is shown.
Second the operators themselves have unit insignia (shoulder patches) except for the one "willie" who has un-subdued sleeve rank insignia, where'd they get him?
That's just from a brief overlook. Of course it really may not matter that much with the big hats blabbing continously about means and methods to the whole world.
I bet the old KGB boys are just shaking their heads and thinking "why couldn't we have been this lucky". Burgess, Philby, stay home, the other side really doesn't need you!
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