A Weak Spot in Our Defenses

Congressional computers have been penetrated, probably by the Chinese. The avionics system of the F-22 fighter may be compromised. Computers of our presidential candidates were hacked into -- and probably not by teenagers...Last year's advance of Russian tanks into Georgia was accompanied by the disruption of Georgian government computer systems.

...Attacks on computer systems will be an integral element of future conflict, and the United States is more dependent on computer networks than any other nation.

...policymakers and the military are in the early stages of coming to grips with this. We need to take some important first steps to strengthen our national capability to defend ourselves in cyberspace.

First, we must abandon the notion that static defenses will help us against sophisticated threats. One bipartisan Senate bill proposes to establish a government committee to set standards for all computer systems and software. This is the electronic equivalent of building a Maginot Line of concrete fortifications against a mobile enemy. It may keep common criminals at bay, but it will be no defense against a mobile and adaptable top-tier adversary. American government and private computer systems operate on an interconnected global network that is constantly changing...It operates at light speed, and both friends and adversaries are connected to the same network. We must anticipate that the most dangerous players will stay quiet until a time of tension.

Our cyber-defense capabilities must be inherently dynamic, with a close connection between system operators, intelligence analysts, researchers who can rapidly build and deploy tools to protect or restore vital capabilities.

Second, our intelligence on other countries' cyber-capabilities must be strengthened. We have scores of trained experts who know the ins and outs of foreign radars and missile systems and almost none who are daily tracking cyberthreats in all their manifestations....

You have to wonder. Has no one in a position of responsibility thought this through? Are they so hell bent on imposing this agenda on the entire country that they don’t care about the unintended consequences — even if they affect our survival. And who in Congress is behind the legislation that would set up this “control committee,” which, if it is like any committee I have ever served on, will still be trying to schedule its first meeting when disaster strikes?

It is simply astounding that Heather Wilson is trying to remake herself into some sort of cyber security sage.

Consider the case of Shawn Carpenter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawn_Carpenter), a former cyber security analyst that was fired from Sandia National Laboratories in 2005 for passing information to the United States Army and the FBI. Carpenter uncovered a sophisticated cyber espionage ring dubbed “Titan Rain” while employed at Sandia. According to TIME Magazine and other reporting, “hundreds of military installations, government agencies (including Sandia Labs) and defense contractor networks were penetrated and sensitive information was being systematically stolen. The firing and resulting wrongful discharge trial was covered widely in the local and national press. Carpenter prevailed at trial, with the outraged jury awarding him almost $5 millon - most of which was punitive damages.

Heather Wilson didn’t utter a peep while she was in office about this case, even though the local media was plastered with reporting. Additionally, it is hard to miss a TIME cover article (http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1098961,00.html) that involves a national laboratory in your home state. Doing so may have offended her campaign donors (i.e. Lockheed, who operates Sandia for the government). According to news reporting, Carpenter had to go elsewhere for Congressional support, as his own Congressional Representatives in New Mexico couldn’t be bothered with his concerns.

Her quote from the oped, “Yet an important part of protecting ourselves is sharing information about what probes and compromises are found...” rings hollow. It is absolutely absurd that she is now consulting on cyber security. It is incredible that WAPO printed her self-promoting platitudes without more closely examining her background and record on cyber security. It seems ironic that Ms. Wilson is now espousing the dangers of cyberwarfare now that she is out of office. She is nothing more than a talking head promoting her new career. Where was she when it happened in her own back yard? Take a wild stab at where all of the pilfered data was going when she was a Congressional Representative in NM...

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