Cyber Command chief says Pentagon networks vulnerable

WASHINGTON - The head of US Cyber Command, General Keith Alexander, has suggested that the Pentagon’s networks in Afghanistan are far from secure from cyber attacks.

In his first hearing before the House Armed Services Committee, General Alexander revealed such threats that could hamper the US war effort in Afghanistan.

Though the command recently deployed an “expeditionary cyber support” unit to help to defend US networks in Afghanistan, Alexander on Thursday told the committee: “We’re not where we need to be” in ensuring the security of US military networks there.

In the past, cyber attackers have been able to steal key information from the US troops who rely on sophisticated equipment, including data on convoy supply routes, according to senior US officials.

Every hour, there are some 250,000 attempted attacks on Defense Department networks worldwide, Alexander told the committee.

Throughout the Department of Defense, there are more than 15,000 different computer networks, including seven million computers on some 4,000 military installations, committee chairman Rep. Ike Skelton (D) of Missouri pointed out.

According to Politico, Alexander, who also serves as the head of the National Security Agency, candidly admitted that his command continues to struggle for answers. (ANI)