Terrorism and the Internet
Military, industry leaders gather to discuss how to handle potential threats
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| AARON SUDHOLT PHOTO From left: Col. Gary W. Klabunde, vice commander of the U.S. Air Force Information Operation Center, Maj. Gen. John W. Malunda, director of Cyberspace Transformation and Strategy, secretary of the Air Force Office of Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer; Col. Carl Williamson, commander of the U.S. Air Force Communications Agency; and Richard White, director of Information Operations for the U.S. Air Force Network Warfare Wing. They each spoke at the "Cyber Panel" session of the Technet Mid-America Conference. |
Such issues were examined at the Technet Mid-America Conference last week at the Collinsville Convention Center.
"There are better things you can do than put bombs over targets," said Col. Gary L. Klabunde, vice commander of the Air Force Information Operation Center during a session called the "Cyber Panel."The conference brought U.S. military officials together with industry leaders to discuss the potential of network technology. It allowed those attending to hear what each side says is necessary to meet network and Internet attacks on American technology infrastructure, both military and civilian.
It was a chance to get a glimpse at what the future holds for Internet security.
Representatives from over 68 government and corporate organizations like Sun Microsystems Inc., Dell Computers Inc. and the U.S. Department of Defense Cyber Crimes Unit came and showcased what they had to offer each other in the Convention Center Exposition Hall during the two-day conference.
The Cyber Panel was one of many sessions, but it covered a broad range of topics aimed at informing the civilian sector what threats the American military was facing in the 21st century.
"The attack will come at three and four different levels and we have to prepare for it," said Col. Carl Williamson, commander of the U.S. Air Force Communications Agency.
Williamson highlighted the need for network security as the Internet becomes more prominent and as the U.S. braces to face opponents who may one day try to attack the country through the Internet.
"We need industry's help," he said.
Those attending also discussed what plans the U.S. military has for preparing for cyber warfare, including "cyber offense," and the likelihood one military service would control the cyber offenses and defenses of the U.S.
"I know of no other area that is more joint, more agency-departmental, than cyberspace," said Maj. Gen. John W. Maluda, director of Cyberspace Transformation and Strategy in the Secretary of the Air Force Office of Warfighting Integration and the Chief Information Office of the Pentagon.
Each session presented during the two-day conference lasted as much as a few hours.
"The same principles of war apply, just at a different pace," said Richard White, director of Information Operations for the 67th Network Wing.
