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Pentagon Builds Legion of 'Hacker Soldiers'

US lags behind in cyberwarfare: experts

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted May 31, 2009 10:52 AM CDT

(Newser) – Military recruiters may still prize the strapping jock, but military contractors are wooing the scrawny computer geek to join the ranks of young "hacker soldiers" enlisted to defend the US in cyberwarfare, the New York Times reports. Most of the biggest companies, like Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, have “cyber contracts” with the military, and the Pentagon now has thousands protecting the US against threats and developing offensives of their own.

The US, experts say, is behind in its cybersecurity efforts. “Everybody’s attacking everybody,” says one engineer, 30, for contractor Raytheon. Right now, government spending on cyberwarfare stands at about $10 billion—but it’s likely to soar, say those in the industry, with Pentagon enthusiasm reaching “religious intensity.” “I always approach it like a game, and it’s been fun,” said a 22-year-old Raytheon worker.

Northrop Grumman is one of several military contractors with cyber contracts, the Times notes.
Northrop Grumman is one of several military contractors with cyber contracts, the Times notes.   (AP Photo/Wong Maye)
It takes a nonconformist to excel at what we do, says a Raytheon worker, who's also a surfer.
"It takes a nonconformist to excel at what we do," says a Raytheon worker, who's also a surfer.   (Shutterstock)
President Barack Obama delivers remarks on securing the nation's cyber infrastructure, Friday, May 29, 2009, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.
President Barack Obama delivers remarks on securing the nation's cyber infrastructure, Friday, May 29, 2009, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.   (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
Mr.C
May 31, 2009 11:59 AM CDT
BE LACONIC.
Addyp
May 31, 2009 9:01 AM CDT
tl;dnr also I think you dropped your tinfoil hat.
Chudluv
May 31, 2009 7:36 AM CDT
TC-WTH...You're jumping from one topic to another without any real cohesion of the subject... You lost the argument with your ramblings.

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