Dive Summary:
- In a speech on Thursday, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta warned of a worst-case scenario cyber attack on the American smart grid, calling it a "cyber-Pearl Harbor" which could potentially cripple the power grid, transit systems, financial networks and government infrastructure.
- Panetta argued that cyber-security legislation is needed to prevent such possibilities and, in the absence of such a law, asked corporations to take it upon themselves to share pertinent information with the government.
- In August, Republicans led by Senator John McCain rejected a cyber-security bill proposed by the Obama administration, claiming that it would put a financial strain on private corporations.
From the article:
"... In a speech at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York, Mr. Panetta painted a dire picture of how such an attack on the United States might unfold. He said he was reacting to increasing aggressiveness and technological advances by the nation’s adversaries, which officials identified as China, Russia, Iran and militant groups.
'An aggressor nation or extremist group could use these kinds of cyber tools to gain control of critical switches,' Mr. Panetta said. 'They could derail passenger trains, or even more dangerous, derail passenger trains loaded with lethal chemicals. They could contaminate the water supply in major cities, or shut down the power grid across large parts of the country.' ..."