[Commentary] Attacks on computer systems will be an integral element of future conflict, and the United States is more dependent on computer networks than any other nation. Both policymakers and the military are in the early stages of coming to grips with this threat. We need to take some important first steps to strengthen our national capability to defend ourselves in cyberspace. First, we must abandon the notion that static defenses will help us against sophisticated threats. Second, our intelligence on other countries' cyber-capabilities must be strengthened. Third, while there are national security systems we certainly need to protect, our greatest vulnerability as a nation is outside the government. Our banking system, our telephone communications and our electricity grid are all owned and run by private companies and are interconnected to the global computer network. Cyberwarfare is a realm where technology is fast outpacing policy, doctrine and law. We must start closing the gap.
[Wilson was a representative from New Mexico in the U.S. House from 1998 to 2009 and served on the House intelligence committee for six years.]
It is simply astounding that Heather Wilson is trying to remake herself into some sort of cyber security sage.
Consider the case of Shawn Carpenter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawn_Carpenter), a former cyber security analyst that was fired from Sandia National Laboratories in 2005 for passing information to the United States Army and the FBI. Carpenter uncovered a sophisticated cyber espionage ring dubbed "Titan Rain" while employed at Sandia. According to TIME Magazine and other reporting, "hundreds of military installations, government agencies (including Sandia Labs) and defense contractor networks were penetrated and sensitive information was being systematically stolen." The firing and resulting wrongful discharge trial was covered widely in the local and national press. Carpenter prevailed at trial, with the outraged jury awarding him almost $5 millon - most of which was punitive damages.
Heather Wilson didn't utter a peep while she was in office about this case, even though the local media was plastered with reporting. Additionally, it is hard to miss a TIME cover article (http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1098961,00.html) that involves a national laboratory in your home state. Doing so may have offended her campaign donors (i.e. Lockheed, who operates Sandia for the government). According to news reporting, Carpenter had to go elsewhere for Congressional support, as his own Congressional Representatives in New Mexico couldn't be bothered with his concerns.
Her quote from the oped, "Yet an important part of protecting ourselves is sharing information about what probes and compromises are found..." rings hollow. It is absolutely absurd that she is now consulting on cyber security. It is incredible that WAPO printed her self-promoting platitudes without more closely examining her background and record on cyber security. Pure nonsense.
It is simply astounding that Heather Wilson is trying to remake herself into some sort of cyber security sage.
Consider the case of Shawn Carpenter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawn_Carpenter), a former cyber security analyst that was fired from Sandia National Laboratories in 2005 for passing information to the United States Army and the FBI. Carpenter uncovered a sophisticated cyber espionage ring dubbed "Titan Rain" while employed at Sandia. According to TIME Magazine and other reporting, "hundreds of military installations, government agencies (including Sandia Labs) and defense contractor networks were penetrated and sensitive information was being systematically stolen." The firing and resulting wrongful discharge trial was covered widely in the local and national press. Carpenter prevailed at trial, with the outraged jury awarding him almost $5 millon - most of which was punitive damages.
Heather Wilson didn't utter a peep while she was in office about this case, even though the local media was plastered with reporting. Additionally, it is hard to miss a TIME cover article (http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,1098961,00.html) that involves a national laboratory in your home state. Doing so may have offended her campaign donors (i.e. Lockheed, who operates Sandia for the government). According to news reporting, Carpenter had to go elsewhere for Congressional support, as his own Congressional Representatives in New Mexico couldn't be bothered with his concerns.
Her quote from the oped, "Yet an important part of protecting ourselves is sharing information about what probes and compromises are found..." rings hollow. It is absolutely absurd that she is now consulting on cyber security. It is incredible that WAPO printed her self-promoting platitudes without more closely examining her background and record on cyber security. Pure nonsense.