Pentagon Funds Cyber Range For Web Warriors

[Dfg]

Link:

Feb. 24, 2009 -- Just as foot soldiers need to practice their skills before heading into combat, America's cyber warriors need space in the virtual world to hone their skills as well. That place will be the National Cyber Range, a virtual proving ground to simulate battles and develop virtual weapons to fight our nation's enemies.

As part of that effort, Johns' Hopkins University and defense contractor Northrop-Grumman were both recently awarded multi-million-dollar contracts to help build the National Cyber Range (NCR) with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

"I think this is a fantastic idea," said Ed Adams of Security Innovation, a company which until last year worked with the Department of Defense on cyber security issues.

"DARPA is in the business of security. They have built what they think are good cyber defenses, and [the NCR] will let them put it into production."

I must say a nice move by the US but this really sucks for guys like me. You can't stop Cyber attacks people even if you wanted too.

[Trueborn]

Oh shit, I can't WAIT to get in on this.

[The Cheshire Cat]

I didn't quite read the article, but I'm guessing that it's reserved for people on government payroll? Would be kind of cool if they at least made it so you can pay to use it.

[EricFGregory]

Pentagon builds an excessively expensive computer lab but calls it a 'cyber warfare range' so it sounds less stupid.

[deus]

They need to stop taking the metaphor too far with "cyber warefare". It's not like in The Matrix. "Battles"? "Virtual weapons"?

[Agent 008]

Originally Posted by deus

They need to stop taking the metaphor too far with "cyber warefare". It's not like in The Matrix. "Battles"? "Virtual weapons"?

Makes it sound cooler, I suppose.

When you look at it, we are hardly as technologically advanced and efficient as the media makes it out to be. The public expects the "secret laboratories" to be super-cool and all-powerful, when in fact, they're pretty slow, mundane, and bureaucratic.

[Trueborn]

Originally Posted by deus

They need to stop taking the metaphor too far with "cyber warefare". It's not like in The Matrix. "Battles"? "Virtual weapons"?

"Cyber warfare" is actually an officially designated term. However, "battles" and "virtual weapons" are not a part of the vernacular. That's just media spin.

[Agent 008]

Originally Posted by Trueborn Vorpal

"Cyber warfare" is actually an officially designated term. However, "battles" and "virtual weapons" are not a part of the vernacular. That's just media spin.

Trueborn, how did you get into the whole "cyber security" thing, and how did you end up in Japan? You seem to be living the life of travel, excitement and danger How can one get in there?

[The Cheshire Cat]

Originally Posted by Agent 008

Trueborn, how did you get into the whole "cyber security" thing, and how did you end up in Japan? You seem to be living the life of travel, excitement and danger How can one get in there?

*breaks out The Village People*

IN THE NAVY!
Yes, you can sail the seven seas
In the navy
Yes, you can put your mind at ease
In the navy