http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ayDCHq5H0CH8 By Jeff Bliss Bloomberg Sept. 14, 2009 The Department of Homeland Security plans by next year to more than double the number of employees in one of its cyber-security units, a department official said today. The additional workers are needed because computer hackers are honing their skills and launching more attacks on businesses and consumers, said Philip Reitinger, deputy under secretary of the National Protection and Programs Directorate at DHS. "We're dealing with an increasingly dynamic and threatening environment," he told the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs at a Washington hearing. 'Hackers' skills are rising across the board." The panel held the hearing in the aftermath of highly publicized cyber crimes that have cost businesses and consumers millions of dollars. On Sept. 11, Albert Gonzalez, 28, pleaded guilty to leading an international criminal ring that stole 40 million credit and debit card records from U.S. retailers including TJX Cos., OfficeMax Inc. and BJ.s Wholesale Club Inc. Prosecutors have called it the largest case of identity theft in U.S. history. DHS plans to increase the National Cybersecurity Division workforce to 260 from 111, Reitinger said. The division analyzes and responds to computer attacks on the government and companies that provide critical services such as electricity and phone transmission. [...] ________________________________________ Did a friend send you this? From now on, be the first to find out! Subscribe to InfoSec News http://www.infosecnews.orgReceived on Mon Sep 14 2009 - 22:31:48 PDT
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