US Homeland Security Warns of Cyber Attack - Scare tactic?

US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is urging Congress to pass legislation allowing the government to have greater control over the Internet.

Her in her announcement she claims that inaction could result in a “cyber 9/11” attack that could knock out water, electricity and gas, causing destruction similar to that left behind by Hurricane Sandy.

Napolitano said that in order to prevent such an attack, Congress must pass legislation that gives the US government greater access to the Internet and cybersecurity information from the private sector. Such a bill, known as CISPA or Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act, was already introduced last year, but failed to pass in Congress due to concerns expressed by businesses and privacy advocates.

“We shouldn’t wait until there is a 9/11 in the cyber world. There are things we can and should be doing right now that, if not prevent, would mitigate the extent of the damage,” Napolitano said in a speech at the Wilson Center, a Washington, DC think tank.

Do you think this is a major concern that the gov should step in or is this a scare tactic to accept and allow Big Brother to be over our shoulder on the Wide World Web? But then again aren't they already?

Lips

I don't know what to say about this. Seriously, it would be nice to live some aspect of life without the government invading.

"allowing the government to have greater control over the Internet"

Isn't this just another similar action at stopping gambling but instead of gambling, your entire life.  Government's have too much say in what we can and can't do.  Enough already. 

blue

The US governm

Don't you think they are trying to pass legislation to cover their butts for what they are already doing?  The US has been fighting hackers since computers were invented.  They know everything you do on the internet already.  They taped all phone conversations and run them through programs looking for keywords that indicate "terrorist" (or kids talking about pot) activities. 

Isn't there a problem with them micromanaging everyone?  We are individuals with inalienable rights.  Hah!  Can I please pursue some happiness?  Uncle, may I?

Yes i agree they already doing it and its a smoke screen to even ask for the Gov to step in on a massive cyber attack. Whether or not big corporations want it or not the Gov is gonna do what they want to do plain and simple!

Lips

            As long as it doesn't affect the price of beer,  I honestly don't lose sleep worrying over this stuff.LOL

It would likely be far less expensive and immensely more effective to have safety protocol regarding the type of threats mentioned against public utilities. To have safeties and bypass's in place that are controlled manually. There can be no threat of these sort if systems do not entirely rely on computers or at least be setup in a manor where they can shut down the computer and still at least partially control the system.

You know, like how things were run before computers existed.... It should not be too difficult to set up systems that can be maintained without, say.... Electricity. With isolated backup systems for machinery and program files which should already be in place, I see no reason for such a bill to pass.

Absolutely right on orren. And i am sure there is back up systems. Couldn't agree more with ya.