US launches 'completely simulated' cyber-security drill

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched a large-scale cyber-security exercise Tuesday to test its National Cyber Incident Response Plan, a coordinated framework recently developed by the Obama administration.

The cyber-security exercise, dubbed "Cyber Storm III," involves cabinet-level departments of Homeland Security, Defense, Commerce, Energy, Justice, Treasury and Transportation. Representatives from intelligence and law-enforcement agencies, 11 states, 60 private companies and 12 other nations are also taking part in the drill.

Brett Lambo, the director of the cyber drill for the DHS, stressed that the exercise is "completely simulated."

"We're not attacking any real networks," Lambo said, briefing reporters ahead of "Cyber Storm III." "We're not taking down a network. We're not injecting any real malware."

In the exercise, mock enemies seeking to exploit vulnerabilities in cyber infrastructure will hijack Web security infrastructure used by businesses and the government.

The goals of the drill, according to DHS officials, are to boost preparedness, examine incident response and enhance information sharing among federal, state, international and private-sector partners.

The biennial exercise is the first test of the National Cybersecurity and Communica-tions Integration Center, which was established in October to coordinate US cyber-security operations.

Yin Zhuo, a senior researcher at the Chinese navy's Equipment Research Center, told the Global Times that cyber-security will play an increasingly important role in national security.

"Informatization is already irreversible in the whole world, and the Web has infiltrated into almost all aspects of our society," Yin said. "Therefore, more countries have begun to attach importance to defending cyber-security."

Peng Guangqian, a military strategist with the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences, commented that cooperation among the entire international community is needed to cope with the threat of cyber attacks.

Agencies - Global Times