The most serious threat to the United States of America is not a physical terrorist attack, but rather a cyber-related one. In Washington, D.C., you can probably count on one hand the issues that both Republicans and Democrats can agree on – and this is certainly one of them. The inevitability of such a catastrophic event and the destruction that it could cause is a nightmarish scenario that without a doubt keeps our elected officials and military leaders awake at night. The questions aren’t “if,” but “when?”
Imagine life for one day, or even one hour without computers or the internet. Each day, hundreds of millions of Americans rely on their computers to pay bills, manage their finances and shop. Our transportation system relies on computers …show more content…
The first, a cyber-attack on the U.S. electric grid. According to a recent report released by the University of Cambridge Centre for Risk Studies, the effects would be instantaneous and unimaginable – causing a $1 trillion impact on our economy and resulting in over $71 billion in insurance claims. Imagine a severe blackout affecting the Midwest or Northeast, and impacting major U.S cities like Chicago or New York City. The result, according to the report would leave over 93 million Americans in complete darkness.
The second scenario? A cyber-attack in Manhattan – the financial epicenter of the world. One successful attack would cripple the world economy. The U.S. economy is $17 trillion. In Manhattan alone, two banks transfer $7 trillion each day. Imagine the complete devastation if a cyber-terrorist was successful at interrupting these financial transactions.
The second scenario is one that kept retired Navy Admiral Mike McConnell awake at night when he was the Director of National Intelligence. Behind closed door meetings in the Oval Office with President George W. Bush and later President Barack Obama, Admiral McConnell would refer back to this situation as the ultimate nightmare
Imagine life for one day, or even one hour without computers or the internet. Each day, hundreds of millions of Americans rely on their computers to pay bills, manage their finances and shop. Our transportation system relies on computers …show more content…
The first, a cyber-attack on the U.S. electric grid. According to a recent report released by the University of Cambridge Centre for Risk Studies, the effects would be instantaneous and unimaginable – causing a $1 trillion impact on our economy and resulting in over $71 billion in insurance claims. Imagine a severe blackout affecting the Midwest or Northeast, and impacting major U.S cities like Chicago or New York City. The result, according to the report would leave over 93 million Americans in complete darkness.
The second scenario? A cyber-attack in Manhattan – the financial epicenter of the world. One successful attack would cripple the world economy. The U.S. economy is $17 trillion. In Manhattan alone, two banks transfer $7 trillion each day. Imagine the complete devastation if a cyber-terrorist was successful at interrupting these financial transactions.
The second scenario is one that kept retired Navy Admiral Mike McConnell awake at night when he was the Director of National Intelligence. Behind closed door meetings in the Oval Office with President George W. Bush and later President Barack Obama, Admiral McConnell would refer back to this situation as the ultimate nightmare