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FBI Warns Infrastructure Vulnerable to Cyber-Attacks

By David A. Vise Washington Post Staff Writer Tuesday, March 20, 2001; 3:01 PM

Federal facilities, electric power plants and other portions of the nation's critical infrastructure are highly vulnerable to potential cyber-attacks from terrorist groups, rogue nations, disgruntled employees and hackers, the new head of the FBI's cyber-crime fighting unit said today.

Ronald L. Dick said that a cyber-attack seriously could damage the nation's economy without closer cooperation among federal agencies and better coordination between corporate America and the FBI-led, multi-agency National Infrastructure Protection Center (NIPC). More than 5,000 public and private sector sites have been identified as critical and vulnerable, according to the NIPC's Leslie G. Wiser Jr., an FBI veteran.

"Information warfare is obviously something the United States, the National Security Council, the Department of Defense, the CIA, the FBI and our private sector partners are very concerned with. We are picking up signs that terrorist organizations are looking at the use of technology," he said, adding that while no attacks thus far have succeeded in disrupting the flow of goods and services, the likelihood of economic disruption in the future is significant.

Dick, who introduced a new, high-level NIPC team including representatives from the CIA and the Defense Department, said there are about 1,400 active investigations into cyber-crime with the number mounting daily. He also said there are at least 50 new computer viruses generated weekly that require attention from federal law enforcement officials or the private sector to prevent damage and losses.

Notwithstanding the external threat from terrorists, Dick said the biggest immediate problem facing many companies is a lack of appropriate safeguards to prevent former employees who maintain computer access from attacking computer systems vital to commerce. "The biggest threat is the disgruntled employee who can do tremendous damage," he said.

The NIPC, has been hampered by behind-the-scenes power struggles among various federal agencies, including on-going difficulties between the Department of Defense and the FBI over which agency ought to be in charge of protecting the nation's critical infrastructure. Both Dick and Rear Admiral James B. Plehal, a naval reserve commander who was named deputy director of the NIPC today, said they are determined to diminish the friction and enhance cooperation.

"My technology background consists of a 17-year-old son," Plehal said. "All of what we do concerns relationships. . . . We at DOD need to better demonstrate our commitment."

Dick concurred about the need for improved cooperation among federal agencies. "Anytime that you create something new there are problems getting the right people on board," he said. "I want to instill a new sense of ownership and urgency. The true success in being able to deal with these issues is building partnerships."

In addition to growing to about 100 people – including representatives from the National Security Agency, the Air Force, the Commerce Department and the Department of Energy – the NIPC has established ties with 946 individual representatives from corporations and other entities that have joined its global information-sharing network. Out of those, 503 have been granted "secure access" to sensitive data necessary for battling cyber-crime. The private sector also has established industry groups of its own in technology, telecommunications, financial services and other sectors that interact with the FBI and the NIPC.

However, one major remaining hurdle for the the NIPC is that numerous business executives fear that involvement with the FBI will hurt their enterprises by bringing public attention to cyber-problems that might otherwise be addressed privately.

FBI Director Louis J. Freeh said today that Dick, who has been with the bureau for 24 years, is the right person to lead the NIPC through the next phase of its growth. Dick, who studied accounting in college but has investigated everything from violent crimes to drug crimes to financial fraud, most recently headed the NIPC's computer investigations unit.

"Ron Dick has a wealth of experience," Freeh said.

Dick is replacing Michael Vatis, the founding head of the NIPC, who left the FBI recently to pursue opportunities in the private sector.

"He is one of those unique individuals who can see, over the hill, where we have been and where we need to go," Dick said of Vatis. "Mike and a number of people here in the past were truly visionary. The bureau has never done this before. This is uncharted territory."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A31203-2001Mar20?language=printer

© 2001 The Washington Post Company

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), March 20, 2001