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US Seeks 'Ethical Hackers' to Combat Cyber Threats

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 18, 2009 11:55 AM CDT

(Newser) – To combat the rising threat of attack on the nation’s computer networks, the US government is turning to the dark side for help, the AP reports. A call has gone out for so-called “ethical hackers” who “think like the bad guy” to work with Homeland Security to identify and counter threats to the nation’s infrastructure. The Pentagon also said it would ramp up the training of cyber experts from 80 to 250 a year.

The move comes after President Obama ordered a 60-day review of the security of government data and systems. “We're clearly not as prepared as we should be,” one official said, and the weaknesses spill over into the nation’s electrical grid, transportation networks, and financial systems. Last week it was revealed that hackers had infiltrated the electric grid and left behind disruptive programs.

Power lines.
Power lines.   (AP Photo)
An electronic road sign corrupted by hackers.
An electronic road sign corrupted by hackers.   (AP Photo)
Computer security experts.
Computer security experts.   (AP Photo)
Hackers at the Defcon 15 hacker convention.
Hackers at the Defcon 15 hacker convention.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Mr.C
Apr 18, 2009 6:23 AM CDT
Good move Obama! Let's keep a few steps ahead of China in all this.

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