DHS Beefing Up Infrastructure Security as Threat Increases
Helping secure the computer-control component of key infrastructure systems including the power grid, refineries and telecommunications networks is the primary focus of Idaho National Laboratory's Control System Security Center.

Initially funded in 2004, the Center is receiving almost $12 million this year from the Department of Homeland Security to focus on "establishing baseline security assurance levels and cyber recommendations to increase industry security." In discussing the funding, INL noted that infrastructure control systems "typically use off-the-shelf operating systems that are more complex and expensive to upgrade and deploy patches for than traditional computers and often lack sufficient security measures such as firewalls and anti-virus software."

Significant progress in upgrading infrastructure control system cybersecurity cannot come too soon. South Korea's Chosun news service recently quoted a defense official who claimed that North Korea's computer hacker capability is equal to that of the US' Central Intelligence Agency. The official also stated that "Simulations on North Korea's information warfare capabilities reveal that Pyongyang could damage the command and control center of U.S. Pacific Command and the power grid of the U.S. mainland." The official estimated that North Korea employs 500-600 hackers.

Also of significance, the South Korean defense official noted that "China, Japan and Russia are also strengthening their information warfare capabilities," including China's development of computer virus unit in 1997 as well as a hacking unit in 1999.

If this country's infrastructure is going to be adequately protected from foreign and domestic cybersecurity threats, close cooperation between industry and government is essential.