Take Tech Threats Seriously, Feds Say

Keeping emergency services' communications lines working or alerting Americans about terrorist attacks by mass-messaging their cell phones are possible tech priorities for the Department of Homeland Security--if such efforts can get funding.

Programs to prevent biological and nuclear attack get the bulk of the budget because of the dramatic potential for damage, says Charles McQueary, undersecretary of the department's Science and Technology Directorate. But science and technology efforts are also important to security, and it's not just a matter of keeping the Internet up and running.

McQueary fears that the current $5 million tech budget isn't enough to revamp communications for emergency crews, to alert the public, and to implement other technology for homeland security.

Nebulous Threats

"Where we are the most vulnerable we are the least able," McQueary told the first meeting of the House Select Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Science, and Research and Development on Wednesday.

Countermeasures for biological, chemical, and nuclear attack get $557 million of the budget--more than 100 times the amount allocated to protect critical infrastructure, McQueary said.

He and some subcommittee members want to quickly start projects to develop technological protections and response systems. At the same time, they say they don't want to use all their funds on short-term solutions.

"These issues are difficult to grasp, and not as easy to comprehend as the threats to our borders and infrastructure," said Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-California), who represents Silicon Valley.

The committee should help Homeland Security get its new science and technology efforts up and running as quickly as possible, she said.

Representative Christopher Cox (R-California), the committee chair, agreed with McQueary.

"Unlike other aspects of national security, cyber doesn't sit still," Cox said.

Fast Action

The Homeland Security Department is the new home of 22 federal agencies, including the Coast Guard and Customs Service. It is just getting started with its efforts to protect the United States from terrorism.

McQueary suggests enlisting private industry and universities in efforts to guard people and networks from terrorism. He wants an additional $30 million for a private-industry technology clearinghouse and $10 million for university programs. His request for an additional $90 million for threat assessment includes cybersecurity.

The department is deciding where to establish "centers of excellence" to develop terror-fighting tech tools at no more than ten universities, McQueary said. The department is seeking ideas from many sources.

McQueary also said he has received and read some 500 e-mail messages offering suggestions. Many came from small companies, and he said he even responded to e-mailed ideas from a high school student.

"A lot of folks are very anxious to get something done," but the task is daunting, McQueary said. For example, linking the disparate first-response communications systems around the country is "too extensive to even contemplate."

Other Suggestions

Sorting out the best science and technology solutions will be difficult, because the nation can't afford to wait decades for research and development, said Representative Mac Thornberry (R-Texas), the subcommittee chair.

"From the development of sensors that detect weapons of mass destruction to the establishment of cyberfirewalls that keep our nation secure, I have no doubt that our preeminence in science and technology will be a vital asset," Thornberry said. "We are facing an enemy that is fast, nimble, and lethally aggressive. We've got to be just as aggressive ... in pursuing new technologies that will help make our cities and towns more secure."

But first-response systems should aim at lower-tech methods, said Representative Gregory Meeks (D-New York). Plans for the government to ring peoples' cell phones or personal digital assistants in the case of terror attacks would overlook the majority of Americans who still have only land-line telephones.

"Mr. and Mrs. Smith are waiting for the phone to ring" at home or at work, Meeks said.