This week the United States performed a test cyber attack against our nations infrastructure in order to become more familiar with vulnerabilities of the current system. While I had assumed that this is something that is done often in order to ensure stability in the systems, it was clear after reading the article that this is not something that is done on a routine basis.The Article which appeared on CNN.com, clearly illustrates holes in a system that could leave certain services unavailable for hours to weeks depending on the impact to the system. As stated by National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair "successful cyberattack against a major financial service provider could severely impact the national economy, while cyberattacks against physical infrastructure computer systems, such as those that control power grids or oil refineries, have the potential to disrupt services for hours to weeks."
What is so surprising (well not really) about all of this is that in todays day and age when nearly all information or infrastructure is nearly completely relient on a computer system and has been for the last decade, we are only now beginning to run through realistic as opposed to apocalyptic type tests against these systems. Once again it is clear that the Government, while always trying to become more in the loop, has proven that most of the time it is rarely looking at the big picture of protecting this nation. That is too bad, because in my opinion, some of our largest threats are more than likely going to use some sort of attack to these systems long before they will invade our shores.
