Secretary of defence chuck Hagel Warns Cyber Security is a real threat that could wipe out bank accounts

[link to science.dodlive.mil]

It’s no secret that everything from ships to banks runs through the cyber domain, Hagel noted.

“You start knocking on infrastructure of a country, you don’t need to fire a shot, [and] you paralyze a country,” he said. “You paralyze command and control of your military. You wipe out bank accounts.”

Even seemingly minor disruptions could have a serious affect, Hagel said. “I mean things maybe as mundane as all the traffic lights go out in big cities — well, big deal. Well, [have you ever] been to New York City or Los Angeles when there’s no traffic lights?”

Hagel said the whole question of cyber “leads to the change, the dramatic change in threats to our world and our way of life; and we have to be more agile in our military and everything we’re doing to [manage] that.”

Hagel also discussed nuclear capabilities, noting much of his Nebraska visit would involve U.S. Strategic Command, which has its headquarters near Omaha. Stratcom’s mission includes maintaining a safe and effective nuclear deterrent.

Hagel noted yesterday that President Barack Obama announced the United States will pursue negotiated reductions with Russia of up to one-third of the number of deployed strategic nuclear weapons allowed under the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty.