Alexander says U.S. networks under constant attack

The Pentagon's networks are constantly probed and increasingly targeted for sabotage, according to the head of the new military command in charge of cyberspace.

Gen. Keith Alexander, commander of the new U.S. Cyber Command, made a rare public speech Thursday at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, where he said the Department of Defense's networks are probed roughly six million times per day by enemy states and criminal organizations.

"The potential for sabotage and destruction is now possible and something we must treat seriously," said Alexander, also head of the National Security agency, the nation's largest intelligence service. "These threats are serious. To deal with them will require common vision, unity of effort and commitment of dedicated resources."

Alexander said cyberspace has become a critical component of the country's economic and military power, making it a strategic national asset that must be protected as such.

"Certainly no nation could long afford to leave its trade secrets, donor lists or diplomatic bargaining positions lying around, exposed," Alexander said. "And yet that is what in essence is happening more and more as the ways we use to protect our personal, enterprise and national security data are compromised by carelessness, poor design and subterfuge."

To respond, Alexander said the Pentagon needs the capability to launch offensive attacks in cyberspace.

"Our DOD must be able to operate freely and defend its resources in cyberspace," Alexander said. "We will do this as we do it in the traditional military domains of land, sea, air and space."

Some critics have contended that Alexander's role as a top intelligence official makes him a poor choice for the top cybersecurity post, but he countered that the connection would greatly benefit the new command. Alexander said the NSA's resources and personnel would be critical to the success of CyberCom.

"Technology is part of the solution, of course, but the key is people," Alexander said.