"Then what happened?"
"We have to rely on available information, and as far as we know, as far as we're being told, these are very minor events that have been sensationalized by the media."
"It says here," the President again donned his glasses, "Defense
Contractors Live with Hackers; Stealth Program Uncovered in
Defense Department Computers; Social Security Computers At Risk.
Are those minor events?" He pointed the question at not only
Henry.
"There was no significant loss of information," Coletree rapidly said. "We sewed up the holes before we were severely compro- mised."
"Wonderful," the President said sarcastically. "And what ever happened to that bank in Atlanta? Hiring Those kids?"
"If I may, sir?" Phil Musgrave filled the silence. "That was a private concern, and we had no place to interfere - as is true in most of these cases. We can only react if government property is affected."
"What is being done about it? Now I mean."
"We have activated CERT and ECCO, independent computer crime units to study the problem further." As usual, Phil was impecca- bly informed. "Last years the Secret Service and FBI arrested over 70 people accused of computer crimes. The state of Pennsyl- vania over 500, California 300. Remember, sir, computer crimes are generally the states' problems."
"I'm wondering if it shouldn't be our problem, too," the Presi- dent pondered.
"There are steps in that direction, as well. Next week the Senate hearings on Privacy and Technology Containment begin, and as I understand it, they will be focusing on exactly this issue."