US Cyber Vulnerability

The leading US intelligence official stated on Monday that Google’s recent cyber attacks are only a small example of the problems we may experience because of vulnerable computer systems and networks.

In a remark that really made me wonder, Dennis Blair, Director of National Intelligence, stated, “We cannot be certain that our cyberspace infrastructure will remain available and reliable during a time of crisis.”

In other words, the US should begin investing more heavily in cyber attack prevention methods while also developing contingency plans in the event that our networks were damaged by an enemy, most likely China.

Blair elaborated to say that there are plenty of countries who would, “steal, corrupt, harm or destroy the public and private assets vital to our national interests”

Blair called the attack on Google a “wake up call” for everyone who hasn’t taken cyber threats seriously in the past.

I have to say that this is relatively heavy stuff. When my internet isn’t working, I feel like I have landed in a desert island because I can’t do so many vital, everyday tasks that I take for granted. Furthermore imagine the effect of internet or server attacks on businesses. Productivity would dive bomb and our economic edge in our competitiveness in the global marketplace would immediately suffer.

How serious a threat is a cyber attack that could wipe out consumer and government networks? Are we really a sitting duck to the extent that Blair is advocating?