FBI Sees Cyberthreats Rising; White House Scrambles For A Plan

As hacking attacks become more advanced and more frequent, cybersecurity has become a top priority for government officials.

However, while the rising risk of detrimental cyberattacks has been clearly identified, a plan to counter those attacks has proven elusive. Now, government officials believe the stakes are rising, something that will likely propel the cybersecurity industry into action.

FBI Warning

On Wednesday, Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey warned that terrorist organizations have begun to plan cyberattacks in order to make an impact in America. Though he said that their plans appear to be in early stages, his remarks underscored the U.S.'s dire need for better cybersecurity procedures.

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A Growing Problem

Several high profile attacks over the past year have demonstrated that the both public and private data is at risk. Comey admitted that terrorist cyberattacks represent only a small threat at the moment, but that it was important to address this weakness now before it develops into a larger problem.

Data Sharing

In an effort to address the nation's security shortcomings, the White House has proposed a data sharing agreement between the public and private sector.

However, privacy concerns that were brought to light after Edward Snowden unveiled the government's surveillance tactics have made many big companies reluctant to participate. Tech firms are worried about protecting their user data not only from illegal surveillance, but also from the security risks that come with sharing information with the government.

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Help From The Private Sector

Government officials have also expressed an interest in using private cybersecurity companies to help shore up the nation's defenses. As innovation in places like Silicon Valley moves at a faster pace than in many other parts of the country, U.S. lawmakers believe that offering security contracts to private firms could be beneficial.

However, the red tape associated with working for the government has turned many private cybersecurity firms off from the idea.

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