Hidden Nook
"Because in Cyberspace, no one can hear you scream."
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Uncle Sam Hiring Hackers?
[Media Source*] (Cross Posted at Blogger News)
(Reuters) "If you want to work on cutting-edge problems, if you want to be part of the truly great issues of our time ... we invite you to work with us," Assistant Secretary of Defense Linton Wells told hackers at a recent conference in Las Vegas...
The buttoned-down world of Washington seems a continent away at Defcon, which was named as a spoof on the Pentagon's code for military readiness derived from "defense condition." Graffiti covers the bathroom walls, DJs spin electronic music by the pool until dawn and hackers who "out" undercover government employees win free T-shirts.
Although it may appear awkward that the United States government is seeking the skills of those deemed as "cyber vandals," hackers and Washington have enjoyed a "semi-symbiotic" relationship as long as the internet has been around. It was the U.S. military that first began teaching users how the internet operated, and Uncle Sam has often paid the tuition of many college students who planned on working for the government as a career.
"I'm learning while I'm here but I'm also getting the names of people I can maybe call on later so we have a better understanding as cases go along," said Don Blumenthal, who oversees the Internet lab for investigators at the Federal Trade Commission.
One possible, although rumored reason for the recruitment is that the government is considering using these hackers as another front in the war on terror or possibly against foreign countries. Although one may object to relying on such individuals, these hackers may prove useful especially when it comes to curbing cyber terrorism as well as tracking down terrorist web sites (not to mention the terrorists themselves).
Although the government has not revealed it's full intentions, one thing for sure is that many hackers may soon find themselves as public servants working for the "public good." (Editor's Note: Ironic, isn't?)
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By Darnell Clayton ⢠8:29 PM ⢠Email Post ⢠â¢
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