![](\"http:\/\/cyber.law.harvard.edu\/blogs\/static\/dowbrigade\/jbaue.jpg\")
WASHINGTON — Attacks on US computer networks could
\n escalate from mere inconveniences to disasters that ruin companies or
\n even kill people, according to the head of a cyber-security unit working
\n with the government.<\/p>\n
Scott Borg, director of the Cyber Consequences Unit, or CCU, a Department
\n of Homeland Security advisory group, said increasing intelligence ”chatter" was
\n pointing to possible criminal or terrorist schemes to destroy physical
\n infrastructure, such as power grids.<\/p>\n
The CCU is considering how to prevent attacks beyond ubiquitous e-mail
\n hoaxes or computer viruses, with concerns rising about plots to cause power
\n blackouts, tamper with pharmaceutical products, or reprogram machinery
\n to build dangerously defective products.<\/p>\n
Attractive targets include vital ”supervisory control
\n and data acquisition" systems, like those in a power plant that
\n open and close valves or adjust temperature and pressure.<\/p>\n
”Chatter on SCADA attacks is increasing," Borg said, referring
\n to patterns of behavior his unit has observed suggesting that criminal
\n gangs and militant groups like al Qaeda are becoming capable of carrying
\n out such attacks.<\/p>\n
Borg’s CCU, a small independent unit funded by Homeland Security, spends
\n its time trying to imagine how technology could be used to cripple the
\n United States.<\/p>\n
Wait a sec! Isn’t CCU Jack Bauer’s outfit! With Jack from Reuters<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" WASHINGTON — Attacks on US computer networks could escalate from mere inconveniences to disasters that ruin companies or even kill people, according to the head of a cyber-security unit working with the government. Scott Borg, director of the Cyber Consequences … Continue reading
\n on the case we are sure this cyber-threat thing can be cleared up in
\n a day or two. Three at the most. Althoough everything seems to have gone
\n to hell since President Palmer was assassinated…..<\/em><\/p>\n