Cyber Storm II Underway

Via SecurityFocus -

The United States aimed to learn more about weaknesses in its critical infrastructure this week after kicking off Cyber Storm II, an international exercise pitting imaginary enemies against private and public defenders.

The week-long exercise focuses on cyber attacks on important components of the national infrastructure including industries in the chemical, information-technology, communications, and transportation sectors. More than 40 companies will participate in the war game, operating under a scenario where an organized adversary attacks U.S. networks. Company employees and workers in almost a dozen federal agencies will take part in the exercise from their offices, responding to e-mail notices of attacks and other news.

"The scenario will progress as players receive 'injects' via e-mail, phone, fax, in person, and exercise websites from exercise control," the Department of Homeland Security, which runs the exercise, said in a statement. "These injects will simulate adverse effects through which the participants can exercise their cyber crisis response systems, policies and practices."