FOR THIS BOOK | by Ileana Ros-Lehtinen
The rapid spread and continuing evolution of the Internet has brought countless benefits to the world. But as this transformation reaches ever further into our lives, it brings with it increasing vulnerabilities leaving us exposed to those who seek to do us harm.
We are all aware of computer viruses and other malicious efforts to steal and misuse our personal information. The recent attack on Google and other companies by sources apparently originating in China has dramatically raised the visibility of the threat to businesses, from the financial sector to aircraft manufacturers.
Less well known are the highly sophisticated assaults on our national security agencies from several sources, including foreign governments, which may be planning to deliver a devastating blow in the event of war.
Terrorists who wish to strike the U.S. have rich pickings, such as our electricity grid and other essential services.
In his newly revised book, Hedi Enghelberg has given us a wake-up call regarding this rapidly growing threat. His warning that Cyber terrorism can only be understood as an act of war is one that the public and policymakers will ignore at their peril.
The executive branch, private business, and others must work together to combat this menace because it is one we share in common and for which there is no individual solution.
Congress has a key role to play in this effort by educating the public to the threat, ensuring that sufficient resources are devoted to defending the American people, and promoting a vigorous U.S. policy toward combating Cyber terrorism.
Enghelberg begins to provide us with a roadmap of the threat, in order to better prepare against it. He has given us an unambiguous warning and I hope we are wise enough to heed it.

The Hon. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is a U.S. Representative from Florida's 18th Congressional District and serves as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee | U.S. House of Representatives