Plan cyberwar defenses now, before any attacks succeed
June 28, 2010

IN DECEMBER, Google and 30 other large companies in the finance, technology, media, chemical, and Internet sectors were targets of a cyber attack that most likely originated in China. Fortunately, the attack failed to disrupt our way of life, but it exposed a troubling flaw in America’s counterterrorism strategy: Nearly nine years after 9/11, our vast cyber-communications network is vulnerable to those who wish to breach our personal privacy, steal our secrets, and even physically harm us.

Recognizing this oversight, the Senate is now considering a bill that would strengthen the mechanisms by which government and private industry protect the safety and security of the Internet. The bill, filed by Senator Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, represents a thoughtful, if imperfect, first attempt to deal with a serious threat.

The measure would consolidate power within the government to oversee and legally monitor the nation’s communications network. This would be carried out through two new offices, one within the White House to direct nationwide cyber-security efforts and another within the Department of Homeland Security to protect the government’s own networks. Because online threats are multi-faceted and lack clearly delineated boundaries, it would be beneficial to have these government officials, who are accountable to the public, tasked with monitoring and responding to cyber threats as they develop.

Thankfully, Congress is considering the bill before a major cyber-terrorism attack has been carried out successfully against the United States. This should allow senators to consider the bill unclouded by the inevitable panic an attack would trigger. While much of the bill would move the nation’s cyber security in the right direction, the Senate should nonetheless reconsider some of the legislation’s vague language and unclear measures.

Opponents have let on that the bill would give the president a “kill switchâ€