U.S. Not Ready for Georgia-Style Computer Attacks

While Internet attacks continue in Georgia, security experts say the U.S. is not prepared for similar attacks that could steal confidential data and wreak havoc on U.S. computer systems.

National intelligence officials earlier this year told a Senate committee that unlike the U.S. military, the federal government and private sector are not prepared for cyber attacks and pointed to China and Russia as threats to consider. It wasn't the first time government officials cited China as a threat.

A 2007 Department of Defense report said the Chinese government sees cyber war as part of its first strike. Also last year, General James Cartwright, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said China is carrying out widespread reconnaissance of America's networks. Earlier this year, Chinese hackers attempted to take out CNN's Web site, according to CNN.

Scott Borg, director of the independent U.S. Cyber Consequences Unit, has blamed Russia for taking down about 20 Georgian government, banking and media sites. Borg said the U.S. is ready for physical attacks, but not from computer systems.

Cyber Muscles

China and Russia "are the biggest single countries that provide a challenge to the U.S.," said Jose Nezario, a senior security researcher with Arbor Networks. "I would say they are closely matched in terms of capability and programming to be able to induce an attack against the U.S. through the Internet."

Russia is well equipped, according to Nezario. Arbor Networks has tracked Russian criminal groups attacking Web sites, files and other groups, netting millions of dollars. And there have been Web posts teaching residents of Russia ways to support the cause by initiating their own attacks.

In fact, Nezario watched the attack of a media outlet in Georgia during our interview from his office in Michigan. Nezario said no one is immune to these types of attacks.