Crime

Defense Secretary: Cyberattacks Have ‘the Potential for Another Pearl Harbor’

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta Says Cyberattacks Could Paralyze the Country Like Another Pearl Harbor

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta speaks with a congressional subcommittee on budget cuts Wednesday. (Photo: DOD/Glenn Fawcett)

In pleading with Congress Wednesday against automatic defense budget cuts, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta also warned of another crippling situation like Pearl Harbor. It won’t come in the form of bombers and torpedo planes though but as hackers and worms of the cyber variety with the ability to cripple U.S. infrastructure.

CNS News reports Panetta saying that those with the capability to launch a cyberattack would be able to “paralyze” the United States. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) asked Panetta to clarify:

“You said something that just kind of went over everybody’s head, I think, that there’s a Pearl Harbor in the making here. You’re talking about shutting down financial systems, releasing chemicals from chemical plants, releasing water from dams, shutting down power systems that can affect the very survival of the nation. What’s the likelihood in the next five years that one of these major events will occur?”

To this Panetta responded simply by saying that the “technological capability” to send our country into a mode like that of Pearl Harbor in a surprise attack is already available now. Panetta’s references to “the next Pearl Harbor” echo sentiments he shared last year with regard to cyberattacks, according to CNS news.

In June 2011, while being confirmed as Defense Secretary, Panetta said to the panel, “The next Pearl Harbor we confront could very well be a cyber attack that cripples our power systems, our grid, our security systems, our financial systems, our governmental systems.”

Continuing to probe on Wednesday, Graham asked about the risk level, which Panetta said was high, especially as the technology develops and the “will” to use it becomes more apparent.

“I’m very concerned that the potential in cyber to be able to cripple our power grid, to be able to cripple our government systems, to be able to cripple our financial system would virtually paralyze this country,” Panetta said. “And, as far as I’m concerned, that represents the potential for another Pearl Harbor as far as the kind of attack that we could be the target of using cyber.”

Those in the United States — both the government and private industry — are already the targets of thousands of attacks per day, according to Panetta. With that, he notes the importance of improving safety of systems in not only the defense sector but the private sector as well.

(Related: ‘Counterterrorism czar’ says every U.S. company has been infiltrated by China)

Earlier this year, the Cyber Intelligence Sharing Protection Act (CISPA) was introduced as proposed legislation that would put in place the infrastructure for private companies to share information with the federal government on the Internet to help prevent electronic attacks from cybercriminals, foreign governments and terrorists. The Cybersecurity Act of 2012, sponsored by Sens. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) was mentioned as well. At this point, CISPA has been passed with bipartisan support in the House and still awaits a Senate vote. The Cybersecurity Act of 2012 has not yet been voted upon.

CISPA has been met with some backlash with those against the proposed legislation saying the language is overly broad and they fear violations of the anti-trust law by the government.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey weighed in his support of CISPA during Wednesday’s hearing but also said the military is looking to develop “rules of engagement” to respond to cyberattacks and threats, according to CNS News.

Watch CNS’ footage of the dialogue here:

The Pentagon faces cuts of about $500 billion in projected spending over 10 years on top of the $492 billion that President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans already agreed to in last summer’s deficit-cutting budget.

Dempsey said the cuts would mean fewer troops, the possible cancellation of major weapons and the disruption of operations around the world.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Comments (125)

1 2 3
  • theblazerunner
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:09pm

    Transhumanism Agenda Enforced with ‘Nanotech Weapons’
    http://www.infowars.com/transhumanism-agenda-enforced-with-nanotech-weapons/

    Report Post » theblazerunner  
    • AintLIBSjuzGreat
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:47pm

      Sorry but this is false. chem plants power stations nuke plants dams critical systems were legslated off the grid in 2003 NONE of these systems are internet connected period so…

      Report Post »  
    • WAKEUPUSA2012
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:19pm

      Very good post Blazerunner.

      But this stuff with the defense sec is war mongering. They are saying give us more and more money or we will create a false flag attack. One worse than 911. The government aka military industerial complex always threatens congress. They say we need another Oklahoma city or another Pearl Harbor. Well its us patriots who will get the word out and maybe stop them. But if they do go ahead with their false flag attacks they will blame libertarian conservatives. In all the new DHS ads there is a white man in a john dear hat who is the terrorist. Just more brain washing and getting people ready. All the neocons thought the “war on terror” was for the scary muslims…No. Its for the conservative white man. That is the new public enemy number one.

      Report Post » WAKEUPUSA2012  
    • WAKEUPUSA2012
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:27pm

      AintLIBSjuzGreat

      What is false? That video? No thats from the UN global 2045 meeting going on in Russia soon. So no that is very real. Your comment makes no sense. The things you talked about have nothing to do with what that article is talking about. You sound like a paid government shill.

      Report Post » WAKEUPUSA2012  
    • theblazerunner
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:48pm

      WAKEUPUSA2012,
      agree…just one of many things against us

      Report Post » theblazerunner  
    • Sirfoldallot
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:51pm

      Is that brown crap on the end of Leon P.’s nose ?

      Report Post » Sirfoldallot  
    • rangerp
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 3:27pm

      yes, yes, yes, cyber attacks is what you need to fear, and to fix it, we need to give the federal governemnt full control over the web.

      We need the gove to have full access to your facebook, your personal e-mail, your cell phone….. They will keep you safe.

      They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Ben Franklin

      Report Post » rangerp  
    • neohiobiker
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 3:32pm

      BUT they all use electric

      Report Post »  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 3:38pm

      Create a Pearl Harbor event, then use the crisis… as we did in our war with Iraq for Israel. This was written for Israel in 1996, by those who would later be high officials in the Bush II administration. We are dupes.

      http://www.israeleconomy.org/strat1.htm

      Report Post »  
  • theblazerunner
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:07pm

    U.S. Military Wants More Drones In Latin America
    http://www.infowars.com/u-s-military-wants-more-drones-in-latin-america/
    The U.S. Military is looking to relocate some of their predator drones, sending some to South and Central America, according to a new article in Wired Magazine.

    As US forces come home from Afghanistan, the US military seems to have a surplus of predator drones — remotely operated unmanned aircraft vehicles often used to carry out attacks and intelligence gathering missions. Drones previously used in Afghanistan will be given to “operational missions by previously undeserved” commands, including those in the Pacific and in Southern America, according to Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Norton Schwartz. While the exact number of drones, which will be sent to Latin America remains unknown, the implications of their presence remain hotly contested.

    Some question whether their presence in the region is even necessary or whether they will be effective in thwarting drug traffickers. Micah Zenko of the Council on Foreign Relations told Wired Magazine that while the drones could help with spy missions in South America, there is no good reason to use their attack capabilities.

    Report Post » theblazerunner  
  • GERATMO
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:05pm

    I believe this administration will use a scare tactic or create a disaster in order to hold on to power. Obama wants total control and he will do anything to get it.

    Report Post » GERATMO  
    • nobama2012yeswecan
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:58pm

      4 years of full access to things they could of never known! We elected our first double spy…hey russia the next time our spy in chief is in town…KEEP HIM HES YOURS NOT OURS

      Report Post » nobama2012yeswecan  
    • Carol in Indy
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:49pm

      I second that.
      desperate people do desperate things and that is what keeps me up at night.
      Barry is so worried of losing his “power” that he will throw his other grandmother or even his mother-inlaw under the bus.
      As Dr. Phil once said:
      “WHAT YOU FEAR
      YOU CREATE”

      Report Post » Carol in Indy  
    • 3monkeysmomma
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 5:00pm

      y’all wake me up when the Reichstag is burning.

      Report Post » 3monkeysmomma  
  • lvjohn
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:02pm

    Obama is incompetent and has mad a mess of everything he has touched including our national security, he must go vote no in November.

    Report Post »  
    • emoore54
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:29pm

      I agree. If he is reelected we are DOOMED.

      Report Post »  
    • WakingSheep
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:11pm

      Yeah,

      Romney‘s Constitutionality is WAY better than Obama’s!

      We are doomed after Nov. No matter who wins the election now.

      Report Post »  
  • Capt-Dax
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:01pm

    Obama Has Signed 923 Executive Orders In 40 Months What did Congress do in those 40 months?

    The executive branch, the federal law enforcement departments, the DHS, the FBI, the CIA, NSA, the IRS, the U.S. Armed Forces, and the nuclear football are in the hands of an unlawful pretender to the Presidency.

    This is a coup d’ètat.

    This is a dictatorship.

    THIS IS . . .*********!

    “The Obama administration is working closely with Bernanke, Geithner and others not to save our economy, but to outright destroy it.

    http://thecaptiansquarters.blogspot.com/2012/05/end-game.html

    Report Post » Capt-Dax  
  • kryss187
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:50am

    and the big question should be “why are these resources on the internet?” hello??!! unplug.

    Report Post »  
    • Mil-Dot
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:19pm

      Kryss.
      That is just it. They are NOT on the internet. This is simply a scare-tactic propaganda job on the American people by a govt that has lost our confidence through blatant corruption and criminal malfeasance. They want to scare us into allowing them to peer into every aspect of our lives in order to avert some sort of “civil disturbance” when the system collapses. They want to know all about what people are saying, doing, what they have in their possesion, their movements, acquaintences etc. etc. They want TOTAL control of the internet. That is what this crap is all about folks. Don’t buy it.

      Report Post »  
  • TROLLMONGER
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:48am

    Considering the fact that 99% of Becks blindly loyal fans were about 50 yrs old at the time of the pearl harbor attack I can understand why they are so paranoid.

    Report Post » TROLLMONGER  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:54am

      Yea, their all 109 years old now..ummm?

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • barber2
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:59am

      I have an inexpensive suggestion for improving American security : gags for the Obama Leakers ! ( who cares about cyber attacks when our own government leaders can’t keep military/ intelligence secrets secret ??? ) Sure. Let‘s ramp up methods which will cost the sucker tax payer more when our own White House can’t keep their mouths shut ? Oh, they just love their media allies ! Guess that’s how the Obama people repay the media for all of their pro Obama propaganda. Blab..blab..blab..exclusive….blab….hot off the press…blab….

      Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:07pm

      Our needy Troll just wanted attention. Inane comment. Beginning toe around like needy SENSI .

      Report Post »  
    • ICanComment
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:19pm

      So, 99% of the seven people who are “blindly” loyal is what, 6.93 people? I wonder why the last guy is divided amongst himself? Does that mean he was only (50 * 0.93) = forty six and a half years old when Pearl Harbor was attacked?

      As for the rest of us who just listen for information, along with listening to other sources, who knows. I’m in my early thirties, myself. You’d be surprised.

      Since you’re trollmongering, how much do I owe you for your trolling services?

      Hyperbole (“Pearl Harbor” reference) aside, do you really think America is safe from cyber warfare? By virtue of what expertise you hold? I‘d bet money that we’re not safe from it. It’s up to individual owners of each system to secure the respective component.

      Report Post »  
    • Magyar
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 1:31pm

      @Troll

      I’m not anywhere near that age—— AND you, traitor, should be looking over your shoulder….MMMMMmmmm….

      Report Post »  
    • bustedupvet
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 2:25pm

      Trollmonger…I‘m 55 and my generation is STILL the backbone of America and it’s time we weaned system suckers like you off the system! The free ride is over get off your a$$ or get the hell out of OUR AMERICA!! You are entitled to be cold and hungry if you’re to lazy to work!!

      Report Post »  
    • herdzcatz
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 10:55am

      Guess intelligence and right-living prolongs life, trollmonger! :-)

      Report Post »  
  • MBA
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:46am

    I‘ll believe obamy and his minions have this country’s best interest at heart when they all resign simultaneously. Yeah, we may be at risk, but only from obamy blabbing secrets to the world and hillary signing every pact with every devil giving our country away. No self respecting American would act like this. Oh wait, these people aren’t Americans–they are self serving criminals.

    Report Post »  
  • Daveed
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:28am

    “I’m very concerned that the potential in cyber to be able to cripple our power grid…”

    At least he hopes so. Pathetic anti-American Politics/Politicians. What America needs is not more Politicians but more Patriots!

    Report Post »  
    • Red Meat
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:40am

      He is setting up the stage for the False Flag event about to hit.

      Report Post » Red Meat  
  • Amicus Curiae
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:27am

    Oooooooo! Y2K all over again. So Spooky.

    Report Post »  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:45am

      Y2K was pre 911! The world has changed dramatically since then! Real threats have long since emerged and our country is in serious decline unlike the good ole days of circa 2000. No sarc intended.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • duketurner
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:26pm

      LOL spooky indeed.

      Ever wonder how the Amish survive mentally knowing a cyber threat will bring down the nation they live in. Or how all the old people who grew up without electricy or indoor plumbing are kicking themselves for getting into a situation where the nation will not survive past a cyber attack. So I am interested to know what exactly is going to happen that we can’t quickly recover from.

      Report Post » duketurner  
  • NOBALONEY
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:23am

    Panetta the boogie man. He and Hillery were in Washington supporting the Law Of the Sea Treaty. He’s thrown in the towel wth Pakistan, Clinton’s meetings with the “Friends of Syria” in France, June 24, and the P5+1 meeting in Moscow, June 18-19 will produce nothing. Why is the Obama administration worried about the internet? Because that’s all they got.

    Report Post » NOBALONEY  
  • 2012hey
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:18am

    Panetta warns about this because he knows that the Democrats have designed a single point of failure grid that is vulnerable to this kind of thing and it makes all their dreams come true – taking us back to the stone age

    Report Post »  
  • All American American
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:15am

    The Fed’ruhl US Gubmint, keeping the sheeple scared and in line since 1865.

    Report Post » All American American  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:47am

      Its the guberment we need to be fearful of, because they have the real power and controls. We on the other hand are no minutemen.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • justangry
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:47pm

      No doubt, Penetta and Graham clip and you better believe we’re in a world of hurt and need to go to war. You know, to keep us safe.

      Report Post » justangry  
  • EJ1979
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:12am

    Id think the very people to impose such an attack would come from within the country first. Who wants to see this country on its knees more than the people that currently run it?

    Report Post » EJ1979  
    • OklahomaBound
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:25pm

      Exactly! Or they aid those on the outside of our borders who seek to do us harm because any enemy of the US is an ally of the American left.

      Report Post » OklahomaBound  
  • mils
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:11am

    I believe we have already been laid wide open for the attacks..by our government.
    There is treason afoot in this administration…eg, white house leaks.. such a treasonous, disgusting, childish act .we have no idea what these people have been up to in order to take over our nation as a whole. \
    “damascus prophecy”…russia, us..the whole world just playin the game.. like kickin’ rocks down the road..
    i hope i’m wrong…sincerely.

    Report Post »  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:09am

    Here is the core of the matter from my perspective, as any cyberattack could become by design or accident a ‘pearl harbor’ shock indeed…

    Any attack that occures; will it be executed by enemies of the nation?
    Will it be by domestic terrorist-hackers?
    Will it be by the Obama administration?

    Or will Obama arrange (or already have arranged) a ‘Wag the Dog” moment in which a false attack occurs so that Obama will have his excuse to take control of the internet and the nation via executive order and declaration of national emergency?

    Which is it going to become, considering the sheer desperation the administration is growing in with each passing day?

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • theblazerunner
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:22am

      nice perspective…
      me and mine feel the same.

      Report Post » theblazerunner  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:50am

      It may be from our own Stuxnet virus being thrown back on us. Blowback they call it. But since its out there now that we were behind it, no one will blame our enemies, we are getting what we deserve in repayment they will say. These people sit around and cook these things up to get us to believe that they are innocent and are as much victims as we will be. Don’t buy into it. This is by design, they are setting us up!

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • JQCitizen
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:59am

      I agree with your line of questions entirely; ANY of these is a STRONG possiblility, with this president and his “Administration”,( Can you call a bunch of run- a’muck CZARS an Administration?).

      We know that this president has painted himself into a corner, and cannot win without massive voter fraud. The thing we don’t know is whether or not he thinks he can pull enough fraud off by November.

      If he can’t, we can probably expect something BEFORE November. If he can get enough fraud to make it close (like a Bush/Gore type recount), it will be a “back-pocket” idea that he will pull out and use if necessary, just in time to “make a transition unwise” for the American People.

      Report Post »  
    • GollygeeMrwilson
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 9:00pm

      Bingo!

      Report Post » GollygeeMrwilson  
  • searching for the Truth
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:07am

    Yeap ! By people that didn’t even know how to flush a toilet until 46, that still can’t get chinese handcuffs to work right , and that place explosives on their kids.

    Report Post »  
  • momrules
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:07am

    This foreshadowing of events means that it will happen in the near future. The question that I have is who’s government will cyber attack the U.S., ours or someone else’s.

    I keep telling people that Obama is too unconcerned about the upcoming election, that he seems more intent on his destructive and devisive policies than ever. I worry about us even having an election this year and a cyber attack at the appropiate time would certainly put an end to them.

    The following fallout, civil disruption, etc. would be a perfect time to declare martial law

    Report Post »  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:52am

      His strange detachment from begin re-elected has always concerned me and I’ll you why. Anyone who acts this way knows something the rest of us don’t. He acts like no matter what he’ll stay the president. I believe this is the case.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
  • semby
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:02am

    Then my suggestion to the Defense Secretary is to go to the Whitehouse, demand an independent investigation on the recent leaks; demand President Obama take up legislation to prevent the sequestration and demand that he start playing the part of President.

    If you are so afraid Mr. Secretary of these things; then you have the power to at least prevent them from occurring.

    Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:02pm

      excellent idea. the LEAKS must be investigated. exposed. prosecuted. and stopped. including the media involved.

      Report Post »  
  • lukerw
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:56am

    Seems like… even a Radical Socialist… does not want to see his Country Destroyed… by others (just by his own Treasons)!

    Report Post » lukerw  
  • Inlightofthings
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:53am

    Panetta implies the “will” is predicated on the capability…seems like the will is driving the development of the capabilities…

    Report Post »  
  • mike_trivisonno
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:50am

    Leon Panetta is a willing tool of the House of Saud and should be tried for treason.

    Report Post » mike_trivisonno  
  • Laken
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:49am

    Freedom Works P e t i t i o n….I m p e a c h…Holder

    http://action.freedomworks.org/6851/tell-congress-to-investigate-eric-holder/?source=AWEHT2&gclid=CPr8i_zmzbACFcVk7AodlRQ0Wg

    Report Post » Laken  
  • scrapadapolis
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:48am

    rockets,guns,nukes that will solve the problem.computers will be the downfall of america.hell does a teenager know how to use a radio or a wall phone.how about a stove thats not controled by a computer chip?Damn even cars park themselves.The government also knows this thats why they have OLD vacuum tube equipment in the presidental underground bunkers.

    Report Post » scrapadapolis  
  • Jenny Lind
    Posted on June 14, 2012 at 10:48am

    Two things hit me as I read this. One-get off your … and make sure it doesn’t happen fool, and two-if they can do it to us, why can’t we to them? Are they that much smarter? (Or can we, but the peasants can’t know about that-it might have to be used on them….for security purposes only of course).

    Report Post »  
    • Lloyd Drako
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 11:02am

      “If they can do it to us, why can’t we to them?” We already have. Stuxnet, deployed by the Israelis against Iran’s nuclear program, almost certainly with US support.

      Report Post » Lloyd Drako  
1 2 3

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love