White House report cites hackers as primary intelligence threat
SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Thursday, January 13, 2000
WASHINGTON -- The United States says hackers can obtain secrets
better than any spies.
A U.S. report said foreign intelligence services have developed new
technologies to target military and other U.S. computers to obtain valuable
information. In many cases, these countries are aided by criminals and
free-lance computer hackers.
In a report by President Bill Clinton to Congress, called the National
Security Strategy Report, the administration places foreign intelligence
collection as a leading concern of the United States. The report says the
threat of espionage is "more diverse, complex and difficult to counter than
ever before. This threat is a mix of traditional and non-traditional
intelligence adversaries that have targeted American military, diplomatic,
technological, economic and commercial secrets."
"Some foreign intelligence services are rapidly adopting new
technologies and innovative methods to obtain such secrets, including
attempts to use the global information infrastructure to gain access to
sensitive information via penetration of computer systems and networks," the
report said.
The United States, the report said, places the "highest priority" on
monitoring countries or "other entities" that possess strategic nuclear
forces or control nuclear weapons. The report said that during the next 15
years the United
States will most likely face an intercontinental ballistic missile threat
from North Korea, "probably from Iran, and possibly from Iraq."
The report said the United States, an economic, scientific and military
leader, is the prime target of of foreign intelligence services. These
services seek information on U.S. political and military intentions and
capabilities and have increased efforts to collect classified information on
U.S. weapons systems and technology.
The United States, the report said, must "effectively counter the
collection efforts of foreign intelligence
services through vigorous counterintelligence efforts and security
programs."
The report said since 1994 U.S. counterintelligence has focused on
economic and industrial espionage and improved coordination among
intelligence, counterintelligence and law enforcement agencies.