World Tribune.com

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.

Thursday, January 13, 2000


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