DATE= 11/11/97
TYPE=BACKGROUND REPORT
NUMBER=5-38052
TITLE=INTERNET TERRORISM
BYLINE=STEVE NORMAN
DATELINE=WASHINGTON
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: THE U-S GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING RECOMMENDATIONS FROM A
PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION THAT EXAMINED THREATS TO CRITICAL
NATIONAL SYSTEMS, SUCH AS PUBLIC UTILITIES, WHICH KEEP THE
COUNTRY OPERATING. STEVE NORMAN REPORTS THE COMMISSION LOOKED
INTO THREATS NOT ONLY FROM TERRORISTS WITH BOMBS, BUT FROM
ATTACKS ORIGINATING ON THE WORLDWIDE COMPUTER NETWORK, THE
INTERNET.
TEXT: A FEW WEEKS AGO, 126-THOUSAND HOMES IN THE U-S CITY OF SAN
FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA LOST ELECTRICITY BECAUSE OF A MASSIVE POWER
OUTAGE WHICH HAPPENED AT ONE OF THE BUSIEST HOURS OF THE DAY, AS
PEOPLE PREPARED TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES FOR WORK AND SCHOOL.
GOVERNMENT INVESTIGATORS ARE LOOKING INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF
SABOTAGE AT A SAN FRANCISCO FACILITY WHICH PRODUCES ELECTRICAL
POWER.
WAS WHAT HAPPENED IN SAN FRANCISCO AN OMINOUS FORERUNNER OF
THINGS TO COME?
IMAGINE NO TELEPHONE, RADIO, OR TELEVISION SERVICE BECAUSE
SOMEONE USED COMPUTERS TO SHUT DOWN TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS.
AT THE SAME TIME SUBWAYS AND TRAINS ARE STOPPED IN THEIR TRACKS
BECAUSE A SABOTEUR SHUT DOWN TRANSIT SYSTEMS BY ACCESSING THEIR
COMPUTER SYSTEMS THROUGH THE INTERNET, AND MONEY IS FROZEN IN
BANKS BECAUSE SOMEONE INFILTRATED THE GIANT COMPUTERS WHICH
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS USE TO KEEP TRACK OF FUNDS.
DEFENSE DEPARTMENT ANALYST JOHN HAMRE SAYS THESE TYPES OF
TERRORIST ACTIVITIES ARE NOT FANTASIES, THEY ARE SCENARIOS FOR
WHICH THE GOVERNMENT IS PREPARING.
// HAMRE ACTUALITY //
WE ARE FACING THE PROSPECT OF AN ELECTRONIC PEARL HARBOR
(DISASTER).
// END ACTUALITY //
MR. HAMRE SAYS THE U-S GOVERNMENT IS NOT WAITING FOR SUCH
MAN-MADE DISASTERS TO HAPPEN. A TASK FORCE OF 11 AGENCIES IS IN
THE PROCESS OF ASSESSING VULNERABILITY AND COMING UP WITH WAYS OF
COUNTERACTING INTERNET TERRORISM.
IN RECENT MONTHS, THE U-S MILITARY HAS CONDUCTED SECRET TRAINING
EXERCISES IN WHICH VILLAINS WHO TARGETED COMPUTER DATA AND
TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS WERE SOUGHT AND ARRESTED.
UNDERSECRETARY OF TRADE RAYMOND KELLY SAYS THIS IS NOT ALL THE
GOVERNMENT IS CONCERNED ABOUT. A PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION HAS
IDENTIFIED POWER SYSTEMS, WATER SUPPLIES, AND GAS AND OIL
DISTRIBUTION OPERATIONS FOR ADDED PROTECTION.
// KELLY ACTUALITY //
THE AVERAGE AMERICAN CAN BE CONCERNED BECAUSE VIRTUALLY
EVERY ASPECT OF THEIR DAILY LIVES IS NOW INVOLVED IN
INFRASTRUCTURE (PUBLIC SYSTEMS) AND INCREASINGLY, THE
CYBER-INFRASTRUCTURE (COMPUTER NETWORK) INFORMATION.
// END ACTUALITY //
FOR THOSE WHO QUESTION THE NEED TO ANTICIPATE TERRORIST ACTS,
INCLUDING THOSE THROUGH THE INTERNET AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL
SYSTEMS, MR. KELLY REMINDS THEM OF THE BOMBINGS AT THE FEDERAL
BUILDING IN OKLAHOMA CITY AND THE WORLD TRADE CENTER IN NEW YORK.
(SIGNED)
NEB/SRN/RAE
11-Nov-97 2:00 PM EST (1900 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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