Companies including utilities, banks and phone carriers would have to spend almost nine times more on cybersecurity to prevent a digital Pearl Harbor from plunging millions into darkness, paralyzing the financial system or cutting communications, a Bloomberg Government study found.Spies, criminals and hacker-activists are stepping up assaults on U.S. government and corporate systems, spurring efforts by Congress and President Barack Obama to shield infrastructure essential to U.S. national and economic security, such as power grids and water-treatment plants.To read this Bloomberg report in full, see:
www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-31/cybersecurity-disaster-seen-in-u-s-survey-citing-spending-gaps.htmlAlso see:Senate Cyber Legislation Facing Industry Resistance Over Cost
A Senate measure aimed at compelling operators of vital U.S. utility and other networks to strengthen cybersecurity drew resistance from some business groups concerned that the bill would raise companies’ costs.Responses to draft versions of the legislation have included “hard pushback” from trade groups as well as enthusiastic support, Tommy Ross, senior intelligence and defense adviser to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said at a Bloomberg Government conference today.
www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-31/senate-cyber-legislation-facing-industry-resistance-over-cost.html