Free Republic

The US government is at risk of a major cyber-attack for which many agencies are ill-prepared, according to a survey of information technology professionals released Tuesday. The survey, conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs for the Business Software Alliance, found 49 percent of IT professionals believed such an attack is likely in the next 12 months, with a third of those saying it is "extremely likely." Moreover, of those IT professionals specializing in security issues, including those responsible for their company's computer and Internet security, 59 percent think a major attack against the government is likely in the next year, the...

WASHINGTON - Washington's War Situation Rooms are abuzz these days with a score of major flashpoints scattered across the globe, from the Middle East, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Central Asia and North Korea to Cuba, and has now an issued alert of China's readiness to launch a cyber attack targeting key government computer systems. Alarm bells have not stopped ringing at the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) Langley, Virginia, headquarters. The agency has been under an increasing media assault since September 11 for its recognized intelligence failures. It is even more distressing for the multibillion-dollar-funded agency since it is now certain...