While speaking at the Aspen Security Forum, FBI Director James Comey said that the Bureau is investigating terrorist organizations who have begun to discuss how to target the U.S. with a cyberattack, although he added that the plots all seem to be in the early stages of planning.
“We are picking up signs of increasing interest. It’s a small but potentially growing problem,” Comey said.
Protecting critical infrastructure such as water-treatment plants, electrical grids, and the banking systems from cyberattacks has been the focus of officials for years. However, as has become evident with recent breaches at the State Department, White House, OPM and Sony, (to name a few) hackers have proven their unfortunate ability to side-step defenses.