Internet Security Systems’ (News - Alert) (ISS) president and CEO on Friday addressed a subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, asking for a more proactive approach when dealing with cyber security issues.

 

On Friday’s address, Thomas Noonan cited a lack of attention to detail when it comes to security with Internet technologies, including wireless access, VoIP and instant messaging.

 

"We as a nation are not doing nearly enough to preempt the types of attacks that could debilitate our critical networked infrastructure," Noonan stated in his address. "The fact that our nation's critical infrastructure has yet to fall victim to a large-scale cyber attack of debilitating consequences does not mean that it cannot happen."

 

According to a recent release, Noonan called upon the government to:

-- Appoint an Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security for Cyber Security and Telecommunications to interact closely with the private sector.

-- Develop a national plan to restore connectivity in the event of a large-scale cyber attack.

-- Clearly delineate and harden the roles of the various public-private entities working on cyber issues.

-- Make better, more coordinated use of security intelligence gathered by the private sector.

-- Provide sustained federal funding and active Congressional oversight to combat cyber security threats to the nation's critical infrastructure and the government's own networks.

Noonan concluded that the challenge of protecting the US from a cyber attack “is as unique as the Internet itself,” but a test that we need to take on.

"Today's hearing marks a promising step forward in the collaboration between government and industry to safeguard the Internet," said Noonan. "While key technology companies like ISS possess the ear-to-the-ground intelligence needed to protect our economy and critical infrastructures, we need the leadership of the federal government to effectively leverage the knowledge, leadership and expertise of the private sector in improving the resiliency of networks and bolstering our nation's defenses."

www.iss.net