Is Perfect Citizen national security, or Big Brother in disguise?

The computer networks of public and private entities will now be monitored by “Perfect Citizen” a federal program headed by the National Security Agency (NSA). The purpose of Perfect Citizen is to prevent cyber attacks against resources considered vital to national security like public utilities and power plants. To supporters, Perfect Citizen is a reassuring presence, while others see Big Brother in massive automated NSA surveillance.

Source for this article: Is Perfect Citizen national security, or Big Brother in disguise? by Personal Money Store

Perfect Citizen – Internet security on steroids

The story about Perfect Citizen broke in the Wall Street Journal. The Journal reports 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 be warnings of a cyber attack. Phase one of Perfect Citizen could be executed by Ratheon, a defense contractor awarded $ 100 million for the task. Perfect Citizen has caused some industry and government officials aware of its aims to believe it is an NSA intrusion into private domestic affairs. For others, NSA surveillance is a long time coming from the only agency in town with the technology and know-how to do the job.

Intelligence gathered by NSA can be shared

The Journal article explains that Perfect Citizen can be applied to older computer networks which were intended before Internet security was an issue. Critical infrastructure like subway systems and air traffic control are run by these older networks. These networks are more efficient after being linked online, but have become sitting ducks for cyber attack. The NSA said it will share what it learns with Perfect Citizen so that all companies can use the knowledge to upgrade Internet security.

Will private citizens be protected from Perfect Citizen?

Perfect Citizen, perhaps due to its Orwellian title, makes some people uneasy. PC World reports that their concern is that Perfect Citizen might 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. Whether or not Perfect Citizen can protect the nation from cyber attack without violating the privacy rights of private citizens remains to be seen.

Discover more about this topic here:

wsj.com

www.nsa.gov

pcworld.com