Foreign cyber attacks on US ramping up

Hits on infrastructure such as electricity grids and water supplies increased 17-fold between 2009 and 2011.

The Pentagon’s cyber commander says other countries have stepped up cyber attacks on U.S. infrastructure.

But Gen. Keith Alexander says they do not appear to be payback for the United States’ reported role in cyber attacks on Iran, reports The New York Times.

Hits on infrastructure such as electricity grids and water supplies increased 17- fold between 2009 and 2011.

That includes attempts by criminal gangs and hackers as well as other countries. The New York Times reports this is the first time that the National Security Agency leader has acknowledged publicly the rise in cyber attacks on critical infrastructure.

Alexander says on a scale of one to ten, the United States’ cyber prevention efforts gets a three.

He spoke at a security forum in Aspen, Colo.

This story is part of Federal News Radio’s daily Cybersecurity Update. For more cybersecurity news, click here.

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