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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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Defense Giants Stalk Cyberwar Contracts

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(Newser) – Major defense contractors are already staffed with "hacker soldiers" who can help them earn billions of dollars in Washington's new cyberwar, the New York Times reports. Cranking rock tunes and piling up pop cans, engineers hack away at companies like Raytheon, working for the Pentagon or protecting internal documents. Now, with President Obama seeking a new cyberwar command, the rush for government contracts is on.

The US spends just $10 billion a year on computer security, but insiders expect that number to grow quickly. “Everybody’s attacking everybody,” one Raytheon engineer said. As spending on traditional weapons wanes, defense contractors are in an enviable position to provide a new form of security. “I always approach it like a game,” said one young hire, a college dropout. “And it’s been fun.”

Computer experts, like these at the Defcon hacker conference, are being recruited by defense contractors.
Computer experts, like these at the Defcon hacker conference, are being recruited by defense contractors.   (AP Photo)
The exterior of Raytheon Co. in Sudbury, Mass.
The exterior of Raytheon Co. in Sudbury, Mass.   (AP Photo)
A Raytheon exec uses a new interface.
A Raytheon exec uses a new interface.   (AP Photo)
This photo provided by the U.S Secret Services shows the work area for the Department of Homeland Security's
This photo provided by the U.S Secret Services shows the work area for the Department of Homeland Security's "Cyber Storm" war games worldwide simulation.   (AP Photo)
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1 comment
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Ioptout
May 30, 09 5:30 PM CDT
Of course it's fun! Every idiot who does something illegal love to get paid! You big dummy, if you see me cruisin' swift across the web just leave it be. I wish this government was paying me for growing weed and mushrooms. This is ridiculous. Reply
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