Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff suggests hackers, not Wall Street, are biggest threat to U.S. financial stability

Jackson West — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT

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)

Bush asks for $6 billion to fight the terrorists online

Nicholas Carlson — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 12:00:35 EST

After 37,258 cyber attacks against government and private networks last year, President Bush and Department of Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff say they need $6 billion to stop attacks on Wall Street and nuclear power plants. (Here's a hint: Don't run a nuclear plant on Microsoft Windows.) The president would also like to install government sensors on private company networks. Natch, Dems don't like the plan, the Wall Street Journal reports. Not enough details, they say. But don't they know that if we give out details, the terrorists will have won?

Gawker: valleywag, michael chertoff

Homeland Security chief Michael Chertoff suggests hackers, not Wall Street, are biggest threat to U.S. financial stability

Bush asks for $6 billion to fight the terrorists online