Cyber-warfare and Weapons of Mass Annoyance
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As many as 15 million infected computers may be sending spam and disrupting Internet networks around the world. Cyber-warfare is a real threat to national security and the economy. We talk about how it works, who should take charge of cyber-defense and how civil liberties can be protected. Also, President-elect Barack Obama picks a a securities-industry regulator to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission. On Reporter's Notebook, can a nice girl from the Upper East Side handle the brutal politics of New York and Washington?
Making News
Securities-Industry Regulator to Lead SEC for Obama ()
After revelations of scandal after financial scandal, the Securities and Exchange Commission is the poster child for the failures of deregulation. Today, President-elect Barack Obama chose Mary Shapiro to head that agency. He said that government, including Congress and the regulatory agencies, have been asleep at the switch. Kara Scannell covers the SEC for the Wall Street Journal.
Guests:
- Kara Scannell: Reporter, Wall Street Journal, @KaraScannell
Links:
Main Topic
War and Security in Cyber-space ()
Attacks on the Internet may not produce blood and gore, but they do pose genuine threats to national security and the economy. Credit card theft, bank fraud and other electronic crimes are on the rise. There's evidence that China and Russia have hacked into defense contractors and even the Pentagon. Advisors to the Obama transition team are among those recommending a Center for Cyber-security Operations to be overseen by a special White House advisor. When would a cyber-attack be an act of war? Should intelligence agencies, law enforcement or the military take charge? What about individual privacy?
Guests:
- James Lewis: Senior Fellow, Center for Strategic and International Studies, @james_a_lewis
- John Arquilla: Professor of Defense Analysis, Naval Postgraduate School
- Sami Saydjari: CEO, Cyber Defense Agency
- Jim Dempsey: Vice President for Public Policy, Center for Democracy and Technology
Links:
- CSIS report, 'Securing Cyberspace for the 44th Presidency'
- Arquilla's 'Worst Enemy: The Reluctant Transformation of the American Military'
- Scientists' letter calling for Cyber Manhattan Project (February 2002)
- Saydjari's testimony to House Committee hearing on cyber-security challenges (2007)
- Dempsey's 'Terrorism and the Constitution: Sacrificing Civil Liberties in the Name of National Security'
Reporter's Notebook
The Dynasty Chair: A Kennedy or a Cuomo for Clinton's Seat? ()
Averill Harriman, Nelson Rockefeller, Bobby Kennedy, Hillary Clinton and Michael Bloomberg all began careers near the top of the ladder in New York politics. Now Caroline Kennedy, a quiet lawyer who writes poetry and books for young people, wants Governor David Paterson to appoint her to the United States Senate. Kennedy needs the vote of just one man, the Governor, to succeed Senator Hillary Clinton, who's the likely next Secretary of State. Alexandra Marks is following the story for the Christian Science Monitor.
Guests:
- Alexandra Marks: Staff Writer, Christian Science Monitor
Links:
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