New Agency to Aid in Battle Against Hackers

The Obama administration on Tuesday announced a new agency tasked with coordinating the response to cybersecurity threats, aiming to take a stronger approach to combating hackers in a move similar to efforts to battle terrorism after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Data breaches suffered by companies including JPMorgan Chase, Target and Sony – as well as the most recent attack, against health insurer Anthem – have spurred President Barack Obama to call forstricter cybersecurity measures, including higher legal penalties for hackers and legislation that would facilitate the better sharing of threat information between companies and government.

The effectiveness of the new Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center, however, will depend on assistance from the private sector and overseas law enforcement, Lisa Monaco, assistant to the president for homeland security and counterterrorism, said Tuesday at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in the nation's capital.

Read the full article at U.S. News.