What Did FBI Director Say Is America’s No. 1 Threat?
- Posted on March 2, 2012 at 3:43pm by
Liz Klimas
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SAN FRANCISCO (The Blaze/AP) — The director of the FBI called upon the private sector to help combat what he believes is becoming the nation’s No. 1 threat: cyber-security.
Robert S. Mueller, III (Photo: FBI)
FBI Director Robert Mueller reiterated his testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in January that cyber-threats would surpass terrorism as the country’s top concern.
“We are losing data, we are losing money, we are losing ideas and we are losing innovation,” Mueller said at the RSA Conference in San Francisco. “Together we must find a way to stop the bleeding.”
The dangers posed by organized cyber-crime, rogue hacktivists and computer breaches backed by foreign governments have become a focus for the FBI. The FBI itself experienced a comprising issue in a way when the loosely connected hacker group Anonymous listened in and recorded one of its private conference calls with British investigators. Hackers affiliated with this group have also been responsible for attacks on federal websites, including the CIA, the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice.
Counterterrorism is still the agency’s top priority, but the agency has retooled to prepare for Internet-based aggressors, Mueller said. Cyber-squads in every FBI field office now monitor for crimes ranging from mortgage and health care fraud to child exploitation and terror recruiting, he said.
Mueller’s comments came as federal agencies and lawmakers wrangle over who should take the lead in defending against the digital enemies that have become a major talking point for national security officials this year.
The rising interest in cyber-defense could mean good business for many in the audience for Mueller’s speech. The director said private companies often are the first to see cyber-threats emerge.
Mueller also sought to reassure businesses that fear the bad publicity they might face if they report to law enforcement that they were the victims of a cyber-attack. He said the agency would respect companies’ privacy and work not to disrupt their daily operations.
“We do not want you to feel victimized a second time by one of our investigations,” he said.
Mueller said the time would soon come when no company could boast it was immune from digital incursions: “There are only two types of companies: Those that have been hacked, and those that will be.”
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Comments (82)
MrMagoo
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:29pmAs much as I despise the Obama administration,we can’t just discard what the FBI is warning of.They have been around long before he came to be in power.The FBI isn‘t a ’tool of lslam’ as a previous poster commented.I’d like to see some facts on that accusation.
I‘m thinking ’Anonymous’ has crossed the line,and although I agree with some of their stated goals,we’re still a nation of LAWS the last time I looked.And the FBI is one of our OWN.This country would in a damn worse shape without ‘em.
Its the ATF who are going ROGUE.Would you like some ATF with your Fast and Furious?
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/could-your-shotgun-soon-be-outlawed/
Report Post »MrMagoo
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:37pmIn my opinion,of course.
Report Post »TheCoffinMaker
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 5:06pmOur #1 threat is the massive invasion of Mexicans into the country.
Report Post »db321
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 5:27pmWe have a guy in the White Mosque that I thought would be the #1 threat to America – 20 years ago – if any Country would have done what this President is doing – it would have been considered an act of War!
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 5:31pmThe number one threat of this nation is the wreckless disregard of the Constitution. PERIOD!
Report Post »Jase
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 6:45pmThe #1 threat is rampant liberalism/political correctness. The illegal alien problem, the disregard of the constitution and pretty much every other problem in this country are just the results of rampant liberalism.
Report Post »hidden_lion
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 7:08pmwe are not a nation of laws. The FBI violates the law. The whole justice dept. violates the law. The congress violates the law, even the president violates it. the only people held accountable for violating the law are the common citizen. The only rights you have are the ones you are willing to fight for for. Simple solution for the government that doesn’t want to be hacked. Don’t put anything sensitive on a networked system.
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 7:09pmThe TEA PARTY is the greatest threat to the nation. The FBI cannot handle armed terrorists and Mexican Drug War Lords very well so maybe the unarmed elderly of the TEA Party are more suitable to the FBI’s abilities.
Report Post »teamarcheson
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 7:16pmWhat Would We Ever Do Without The FBI
Thanks to the FBI America no longer has any secrets or security. The only Secrets that can be kept is golfing great Tiger Wood’s Harem, Obama’s birthplace, and who get selection for American Idol. The FBI could not even detect the shipment of vast amounts of hand guns and rifles across the boarder to Mexico. The FBI is good at tracking down and arresting Amish Dairy Farmers who sell unpasteurized fresh milk.
Report Post »resme
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 7:33pmYes, Drum up the support for sopa name will be changed of course.
Oh wait, Acta is already doing that. Thanks Bush and obama.
Report Post »lukerw
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 3:53amThe FBI should be investigating the Administration… especially DOJ and SOS… from which all the Evil, that is cited, flows…
Report Post »momprayn
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:26pmWell, Mr. Mueller, as a very concerned citizen, I would humbly suggest you first check out Obama and his whole administration —- plenty out there that seems to point to THEY are our #1 enemy “within” who are actively trying to overthrow our govn’t with the help of foreign countries who are sympathetic and agree with their Communist/Marxist ideas. I find it very odd that a good portion of us know about these things but the “powers that be” don’t – or either they do and are keeping quiet. ?????? http://www.commieblaster.com
Report Post »MrMagoo
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:34pmI like reading truthful posters.Thanks Momprayn.
Report Post »Razorhunters
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:52pmnice site…have been to it many times.
Report Post »db321
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 5:35pmThere are over 150 sources tracking the Blaze right now – Turn them off yourself.
Use FireFox Browser – then download the Plug in from FireFox “Do Not Track Plus”
Both or Free – no more tracking – you can see in real time who is tracking you. Never ever ever use Internet Explorer for your Browser.
FYI – most sites I visit have 2 to 3 sites tracking – The Blaze has the Most I’ve ever seen with 168 sites tracking – I have disabled them all – You been warned!
Google: Firefox it is simple and free – you will never go back to IE.
Report Post »JRook
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:21pmI would disagree as the most serious threat is the dramatic reduction in school funding at every level. Most importantly colleges. The cyber security threat is a direct result of this. Children in other countries are being schooled better and longer than our children. Time to move couple $100 billion from defense to education. The country would benefit from every child being educated to their full potential. And as Lee Iaccoca pointed out during the junk bond era, we need the best and the brightest to do something other than manipulate markets, speculate on oil and come up with wonderful ideas such as fraudulent mortgage back securities and credit default swaps that have no assets behind them. We have completely become a country where it is not how you make it but how much.
Report Post »LCrabb04
Posted on March 3, 2012 at 2:20pmIt is not the amount of money, or lack there of, spent on education. We spend a ton on education every year and every year we get less and less for the money we spend. Fewer QUALIFIED teachers, fewer days actually in class, and our test scores have been steadily dropping; even as we spend more and more on “education.” Honestly, if i could take the money that I am forced to give the government for the education of my child I would take it and spend it on a private school OR I’d home school. I really am not looking forward to sending my children to public school. We don’t need to be spending more on education we need to be teaching our children. PERIOD.
Report Post »bhelmet
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:19pmPay NO attention to currency manipulation, the “natural resource grab”, inflation, unemployment, Soros and his minions. Our focus should be on cyber terrorism – in other words – keep your nose buried in the computer and ignore everything else.
Report Post »TRILO
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:17pmNo wait!!! I thought Iran was the biggest threat to the United States. I wish these bozo’s in DC would make up their mind. We always hear this cr@p just about the time they try to pass a new cyber-security bill that will put the internet into the hands and control of big brother. Watch the other hand.
Report Post »Razorhunters
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:17pmbiggest threat to america is this dam govt.
Report Post »riseandshine
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 5:45pmYes it is.
Report Post »socialism.rocks
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:15pmlmao the government can block all foreign country ip address’s easy as pie-
i swear the kids know more then the government kids have been blocking whole countries-
for decades….
you need a secure interweb- block all ips that are not part of the network… oh wow genius
takes two minutes to set up
Report Post »spirited
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:14pmDid not Michelle Obama say,
> “We need to change our history” ?
Report Post »Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:10pmAnd the Government can’t even secure a laptop… Epic Fail!
Report Post »SoundStride
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:10pmMaybe we should go back to pencil and paper technology.
Report Post »Think_First
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:25pmI don’[t know….they have a ready made excuse. “Oops, Sir, the god ate my homework.”
Report Post »Mo Better
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:09pmBe careful all you anti-government types – each time you post on this site your name goes on the government generated list of those people who will warrant further attention now and in the future. Are you preparing for the inevitable knock on the door?
Report Post »AJAYW
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:24pmMO
Report Post »They want everyone to cow down to them with threats that if you voice your opion aginst their liberal ways they will come an get us. Well we the people have our rights of free speech, if we cow down we lose. We need to stick with each other to ensure we keep our rights. Just obay the law. don’t give them cause. They want someone to do something so they can put something in place to shut us up. Don’t fall for it.
love the kids
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:08pmAnd this whole time they have been gooing after kids who download some songs from the internet. Even after their parents bought the LP, bought the tape, then bought the CD of the same song. Great job guys!!!
Report Post »WeDontNeedNoSteenkinBadges12
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:07pm“The director of the FBI called upon the private sector to help combat what he believes is becoming the nation’s No. 1 threat: …”
… Barack Hussein Obama, AKA Barry Obama, AKA Barry Soetoro, illegal alien from Kenya.
Obama Kenyan birth certificate:
http://i3.ytimg.com/bg/jKZugo0aaREqEyqXIzGDVw/102.jpg
“Democrat: Obama’s grandma confirms Kenyan birth” -World Net Daily
Report Post »http://www.wnd.com/2008/10/78931/
“The issue of Obama’s birthplace, which he states is Honolulu in 1961, has been raised enough times that his campaign website has posted an image purporting to be of his “Certification of Live Birth” from Hawaii. But Philip J. Berg, a former deputy attorney general for Pennsylvania, told the Michael Savage talk radio program tonight that the docúment is forged …”
…
“The claim states, “The ‘certificate’ that Mr. Obama has posted on his official Website is a ‘Certification of Live Birth,’ and not a ‘Birth Certificate’ from Hawaii. There is no indication on even this certificate as to specifically where the birth took place.“ ”
…
“Berg said he believed it also was a complication that Obama’s mother divorced his father, married and moved to Indonesia for several years and Obama attended school there at a time when, Berg said, only Indonesia citizens were allowed in schools. Records that are available from Indonesia revealed Obama was registered in school as Barry Soetoro, and his religion was listed as Islam. When Obama late
WeDontNeedNoSteenkinBadges12
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:09pm[continued]
Records that are available from Indonesia revealed Obama was registered in school as Barry Soetoro, and his religion was listed as Islam. When Obama later returned to Hawaii, within the United States, there should have been a government docúment affirming his citizenship, but that also cannot be found. If that was not processed properly, Berg said, Obama would be in a situation even worse than not being a natural-born citizen.”
Report Post »JRook
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:16pmAh the telephone call reference you sight is from 2008? If there was such a call where exactly is the transcript.
Report Post »ledbythnose
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 8:46pmAgreed . The real threat to America is an Agency that refuses to arrest and prosecute a man that has produced a FORGED BC to the American People on National TV. Then openly mocked any one who questioned his charade. The real threat to America is a Man who sat for 20 years on the pews of an America hating Black Revisionist Preachers Church that commanded that God Damn the Nation he hated so very much. The real threat to America is a Congress that refuses to execute the Oath of Office they ALL swore to protect and defend from Enemies both Foreign and Domestic .I could go on but I hope you catch my drift.
Report Post »2theADDLED
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:07pmGuess what get used to it for their is always someone smarter and better than you !
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:05pmI thought the #1 threat was freedom….
Report Post »justangry
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:20pmThey pretty much have that under wraps.
Report Post »Mr.Fitnah
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:05pmThis guy couldn’t find a real threat if it was wearing a bomb vest screaming allahu ackbar.
Report Post »johnpaulkuchtajr
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:11pmRead some of the accounts of John Miller, Assistant FBI Director at the time, calling CAIR to alert them of pending FBI raids in the DC area.
Miller’s no longer at the FBI. Now Miller works for James Clapper. You remember what Clapper had to say about the Muslim Brotherhood, don’t you? “A largely secular organization…”
Yep, we’re going to remain the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:15pmthose people with their fancy death vests are just misunderstood peace makers
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 3:57pmGet ready to lose some more rights.
Report Post »deeberj
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 3:59pmExactly what I thought.
Report Post »TheBurningTruth
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 3:57pmFunny how cyber-warfare didn’t seem to bother the govt much until THEY got hit. Now all of a sudden it’s the most important risk out there.
Not much in this story on the loss of innovation. It’s in the quote but nothing else. How about this, Mr. Mueller: Innovation takes risk. Risk requires reward to make it worth taking. Reward is under attack in this country. Anybody that takes a big risk for a big reward has to shoulder that risk themselves, but the socialists and marxists out there require that person to cough up a huge portion of the reward to people that took no risk, and just sat at home.
Innovation requires education. Engineering is where all the high tech innovation is done (the day of the single wild-haired scientist creating some amazing new idea in his private lab is long gone) and that requires people well educated in math, physics and engineering. Too bad today‘s Americans can’t achieve that degree in enough numbers. Too many American kids have been taught to just sit back because society owes them everything.
You want to increase innovation and new ideas? Get Barry and the Bandits out of everyday life and let US reap the rewards (both good and bad) of our efforts. Until then, STFU.
Report Post »georgepatton
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 3:56pmThe biggest threat: the current president,his czars,geithner,pelosi,reid,holder, van jones…………the list is way too damn long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »Brents Torts
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 3:56pmWatch out, the formation of another federal bureau is in our future.
Report Post »CS_GUY
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 3:55pmTo stop the bleeding you must plug the wound.
Could we be more clear?
Hackers are using their skills to show this administration they can control the release of information without Government approval.
Barack promised transparency and delivered covert operations designed to change the way America supports itself. If anything threatens America its this administration…
Report Post »BeingThere
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 3:53pmAmerica’s number one threat is Obama!!!
Report Post »countryfirst
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 3:59pmPlane and simple Obama most go.
Report Post »TIME_2_END_THE_PAUL_CAMPAIGN_IN_12
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:03pmYes Obama! And rounding out the top 5…
Radical Islam, China, Ron Paul, and Lady Gaga!
Report Post »rocktruth
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 5:45pmThen #2 would be Mitt Romney getting elected.
Big Business loves the New World Order which a huge security threat.
Report Post »elosogrande
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 3:53pmThe number one threat to America is the incompetence of government, local, state and federal. Every problem this country has can be trace back to government screw ups.
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:14pmyes you are correct.
Report Post »WakingSheep
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 4:31pmand yet we will vote in another big government guy. Gingrich, Santorum, Romney, Obama.
Report Post »They Loooooooooooooooove big government!
AARON BURR
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 3:52pmSo, the all powerful, ubiquitos federal governemnt has finally realized the danger inherent in such a concentration of power. How quaint. Now, instead of some locality being hacked, its the whole nation. Good job Progressives.
Report Post »Ruler4You
Posted on March 2, 2012 at 3:50pmWho cares what the FBI thinks? They are tools of islam now, and of no use to me or this nation.
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