Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Cyber War Mass Hysteria Is Hindering Security

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the hysteria-is-hawesome dept.

jhernik writes "International cyber threat initiatives are in danger of becoming overblown, the US government's security chief told the RSA Conference in San Francisco. 'Cyber war is a terrible metaphor,' said the US government's cybersecurity czar Howard Schmidt. 'Don't make it something it's not.' Internet attacks from hackers, spies and terrorist groups deserves serious attention, he said, but this should not be 'to the extent of mass hysteria.'"

4 of 75 comments (clear)

  1. Hes right but... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    How is this any different from The War on Drugs, The War on ChildPorn, The War on Terror??

    One way...

    American businesses lose money if there is mass hysteria & people use the internet less.
    There was no downside to the mass hysteria on The Wars on Things except for the truth
    being lost in the FUD.

    1. Re:Hes right but... by Anne_Nonymous · · Score: 5, Funny

      What we need right about now is a War on War, man!

      [flashes a peace sign, rolls a doobie, doesn't trim pubic hair]

  2. Don't you mean... by BlackLungPop · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Cyberhysteria"?

  3. cyber cyber everywhere by Ancantus · · Score: 5, Funny

    Quote from TFA

    ” Cyber war is a terrible metaphor,” said the US government’s cybersecurity czar Howard Schmidt.

    It seems like 'Cyber War' is a terrible metaphor, but 'cybersecurity czar' is perfectly acceptable for eWeek

    --
    Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent. -- Isaac Asimov