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US sets out cyber security plan US sets out cyber security plan
(20 minutes later)
US President Barack Obama has announced plans for securing American computer networks against cyber attacks.US President Barack Obama has announced plans for securing American computer networks against cyber attacks.
He said that from now on, America's digital infrastructure would be treated as a strategic national asset.
He announced the creation of a cyber security office in the White House, and said he would personally appoint a "cyber tsar".He announced the creation of a cyber security office in the White House, and said he would personally appoint a "cyber tsar".
Both US government and military bodies have reported repeated interference from hackers in recent years.Both US government and military bodies have reported repeated interference from hackers in recent years.
In a separate development, the Pentagon is to create a new military command for cyber space, the New York Times said. Mr Obama said that protecting America's digital infrastructure, the networks and computers everyone depended on every day, would be "a national security priority".
Mr Obama did not discuss the Pentagon plan during his speech. But he is expected to sign a classified order to establish the military command in coming weeks, it reported, citing officials. "We will ensure that these networks are secure, trustworthy and resilient. We will deter, prevent, detect, and defend against attacks and recover quickly from any disruptions or damage."
'Serious threats' Mr Obama said that terrorism now could be just a few key strokes of a computer - what he described as a "weapon of mass disruption".
The 60-day review was carried out by Melissa Hathaway, who has been serving as interim White House cyber security adviser. He added: "Cyber-space is real, so are the risks that come with it. It is the great irony of our information age. The very technologies which empower us to create and to build, also empower those who disrupt and destroy."
The new office is expected to co-ordinate a multi-billion dollar effort designed to restrict access to government computers and to protect systems - such as those that run the stock exchange and air traffic control - that keep the country going, reports BBC defence and security correspondent Rob Watson. He said that just as the United States had failed to invest in its physical infrastructure, it had failed to invest in its digital infrastructure. "We are not as prepared as we should be."
HACKING THE US April 2009: US government admits power grid is vulnerable after media reports that Chinese and Russian spies have planted software that could shut it downApril 2009: China denies hacking into a system containing data on a new US fighter jetNov 2008: Congressional panel says China has stepped up computer-based espionage and is stealing "vast amounts" of sensitive informationSep 2007: China denies reports its military hacked into the Pentagon in June of that year Vulnerable
Earlier this week, a White House spokesman said the review was the first step towards securing America's cyber infrastructure.
"The administration recognises the very serious threats public and private sector networks face from cyber crime and cyber attack," Robert Gibbs said on Tuesday.
"Recognising these threats, the president has elevated cyber security to a major administration priority."
The US is particularly dependent on its computer networks and therefore particularly vulnerable to cyber attacks.The US is particularly dependent on its computer networks and therefore particularly vulnerable to cyber attacks.
In 2007 alone the Pentagon reported nearly 44,000 incidents of what it called malicious cyber activity carried out by foreign militaries, intelligence agencies and individual hackers, our correspondent says. In 2007 alone the Pentagon reported nearly 44,000 incidents of what it called malicious cyber activity carried out by foreign militaries, intelligence agencies and individual hackers.
The new cyber-security office will a multi-billion dollar effort designed to restrict access to government computers and to protect systems - such as those that run the stock exchange and air traffic control - that keep the country going.
HACKING THE US April 2009: US government admits power grid is vulnerable after media reports that Chinese and Russian spies have planted software that could shut it downApril 2009: China denies hacking into a system containing data on a new US fighter jetNov 2008: Congressional panel says China has stepped up computer-based espionage and is stealing "vast amounts" of sensitive informationSep 2007: China denies reports its military hacked into the Pentagon in June of that year
But Mr Obama emphasised that the new cyber-security office would also help protect individual Americans. "Millions... have been victimised: their privacy violated, their identities stolen, their lives upended, and their wallets emptied".
He pointed out that according to one survey, cyber-crime cost Americans more than $8bn over the last two years.
"In short, America's economic prosperity in the 21st century will depend on cyber-security," he said.
In a separate development, the New York Times reported that the Pentagon is to create a new military command for cyber space.
Mr Obama did not discuss the Pentagon plan during his speech, but did point out that America's defence and military networks were under constant attack, and that Al-Qaeda and other groups had threatened a cyber-attack.
Mr Obama is expected to sign a classified order to establish the military command in coming weeks.
Experts have warned particularly of attempts by Chinese government hackers to access official computers - something China denies.Experts have warned particularly of attempts by Chinese government hackers to access official computers - something China denies.