CNN logo Navigation Infoseek/Big Yellow Pathfinder/Warner Bros Tech banner IBM Active Channel for Microsoft Internet Explorer. Find out about your chance to win a computer click here for official rules and information. rule U.S. SAID VULNERABLE TO COMPUTER ATTACK cyberwarfare October 21, 1997 Web posted at: 5:02 a.m. EDT (0902 GMT) WASHINGTON (AP) -- A report concluding the nation is vulnerable to electronic warfare was delivered to the White House Monday by a presidential commission. The classified findings and recommendations of the Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection say the danger of computer attacks that could shut down communications and power grids is real and requires early action. "Today, the right command sent over the Internet to a power generating station's control computer could be just as effective as a backpack full of explosives and the perpetrator would be harder to identify and apprehend," the panel wrote in its executive summary to the report. The report recommends stepping up research and establishing a nationwide program to educate people on the scope of the problem. It also recommends revising existing laws to ensure protection against electronic attacks through the Internet. "Law has failed to keep pace with technology. Some laws capable of promoting assurance are not as clear or effective as they could be," the panel wrote. Because revamping laws would be a "lengthy and massive undertaking," the commission offered several suggestions to jump-start the process. "We identified existing laws that could help the government take the lead and serve as a model of standards and practices for the private sector," it wrote. "We identified other areas of law that can enable infrastructure owners and operators to take precautions proportionate to the threat." P.J. Crowley, a White House spokesman, said a task force composed of representatives from several government agencies will review the report and come up with recommendations, which is likely to take the rest of the year. In addition, an advisory committee headed by former Sen. Sam Nunn, D-Ga., and former Deputy Attorney General Jamie Gorelick will work with the private sector on ways to protect against cyber attacks. At a conference on computer security two weeks ago, commission Chairman Robert T. Marsh said the ability to do serious harm over the Internet is real. "While a catastrophic cyber attack has not occurred, we have enough isolated incidents to know that the potential for disaster is real and the time to act is now," he said. Copyright 1997 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. rule Related stories: * Threat of 'techno' terrorism being explored - March 18, 1997 * Military sees high-tech future - March 8, 1997 Related sites: Note: Pages will open in a new browser window * Argonne National Laboratory Decision and Information Sciences - Presidential Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection Survey Form * Naval Research Laboratory Information Technology Division - Clinton creates Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection * U.S. Business Advisor - Survey -- Presidential Commission on Critical Infrastructure Protection * The Whitehouse - Executive order on Critical Infrastructure Protection External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive. _________________________________________________________________ Infoseek search ____________________ ____ ____ _________________________________________________________________ rule Watch these shows on CNN for more sci-tech stories: CNN Computer Connection | Future Watch | Science & Technology Week rule Message Boards Sound off on our message boards You said it... [INLINE] IBM Active Channel for Microsoft Internet Explorer. Find out about your chance to win a computer click here for official rules and information. rule To the top © 1997 Cable News Network, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you.