Pentagon takes 1500 computers off line following cyber attack

At a press conference held yesterday, Thursday, June 21,2007, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates confirmed, that the Pentagon has taken 1500 computers and some mail systems off line following the discovery of a penetration of a US Defense Department mail server on Wednesday. Fortunately, there was no confidential data on the compromised mail server.

The mail systems should be up and running again soon. The Pentagon is well covered: there are redundant systems in operation to ensure that current operations and missions will not be endangered. There have only been some administrative interruptions and personal inconveniences.

The Pentagon is targeted unsuccessfully hundreds of times a day. When asked, Gates was not able to explain what was different about this successful attack. The investigation of the incident is still ongoing. The Pentagon's network is, however, being monitored for intrusions and there is a catalogue of procedures for incidents such as the recent invasion, Gates stated.

Gates was further asked if his own e-mail account had been affected by the problem. His answer: "I don't use e-mail. I'm a pretty low-tech guy."

(mba)