“Perfect Citizen” is a federal government program that empowers the National Security Agency (NSA) to monitor the computer networks of public and private entities. The purpose of Perfect Citizen is to prevent cyber attacks against resources considered vital to national security like public utilities and power plants. Public Citizen is reassuring internet security to some, and a disconcerting intrusion to others, who see its massive automated NSA surveillance of American companies and citizens as Big Brother.
Article resource: Is Perfect Citizen national security, or Big Brother in disguise? by Personal Money Store
Perfect Citizen – Internet security on steroids
The Perfect Citizen story broke Thursday within the Wall Street Journal. The Journal reports that the government’s chief eavesdroppers, the NSA will deploy a set of sensors in the computer networks of entities deemed critical that is triggered by spikes that could possibly be warnings of a cyber attack. Phase one of Perfect Citizen can be executed by Ratheon, a defense contractor awarded $ 100 million for the task. Perfect Citizen is an intrusion by the NSA into domestic affairs for some industry and government officials who learn about the program. Others say it the NSA surveillance is long overdue Internet security for preventing an emerging threat, and that the NSA is the only agency with the gear and experience to manage the job.
Public companies get access to NSA data
The Journal article said that older computer networks intended before Internet security was an issue can be the focus of Perfect Citizen. Critical infrastructure like subway systems and air traffic control are run by these older networks. Since they have been linked to the Internet, they’re more efficient, but extremely vulnerable to cyber attack. The NSA said Perfect Citizen will allow it to collect and share intelligence on cyber attacks that all companies can use for network security.
Can we trust Big Brother to behave?
Perhaps because of its Orwellian title, Perfect Citizen makes many people uncomfortable. PC World reports that their concern is that Perfect Citizen could be just the beginning and the NSA will expand its authority to monitor all domestic network activity. Details about the power usage and travel plans of private citizens may also be collected by the NSA with access to the computer networks of entities critical to national security. It remains to be seen if Perfect Citizen can protect national security without violating the rights and privacy of the private citizen.
Discover more about this topic here:
wsj.com
www.nsa.gov
pcworld.com
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