http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123733224282463205.html By AUGUST COLE and SIOBHAN GORMAN The Wall Street Journal MARCH 18, 2009 WASHINGTON -- The biggest U.S. military contractors are counting on winning billions of dollars in work to protect the federal government against electronic attacks. U.S. agencies from the Pentagon to the Department of Homeland Security have experienced major cyber-break-ins in recent years, even into classified systems. Cyberspies also have siphoned off critical data from Pentagon contractors, including one breach that cost a major aerospace contractor $15 million. Intelligence officials estimate annual U.S. losses from cyber breaches to be in the billions of dollars, and some worry that cyber attackers could take control of a nuclear power plant or subway line via the Internet -- or wipe out the data of a major financial institution. Anticipating the demand, defense companies are bolstering training, buying smaller firms and hiring former top government officials. The move into the cyber-security field could offer new revenue streams for the contractors and help offset declines stemming from budget pressures on the Defense Department's traditional weapons systems. Last year the Bush administration launched a major cyber-security initiative, and 2009 spending is expected to reach $6 billion. Details are classified, but depending on the outcome of a 60-day White House review due next month, people familiar with the effort say spending could range from $15 billion to $30 billion in the next five years. [...] _______________________________________________ Best Selling Security Books and More! http://www.shopinfosecnews.org/Received on Mon Mar 23 2009 - 02:22:03 PDT
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