Speaking to computer security experts attending the RSA Conference in San Francisco today, Department of Homeland Security head Michael Chertoff announced a "Manhattan Project"-level cybersecurity initiative by the feds, citing the 2007 attack on tiny Estonia.

"Imagine, if you will, a sophisticated attack on our financial systems that caused them to be paralyzed," Chertoff said. "It would shake the foundation of trust on which our financial system works."

Actually, I think the subprime mortgage crisis has done more to "shake the foundation of trust" in the markets than any hacker ever could, but maybe that's just me. (Photo by AP/Paul Sakuma)

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