US Defence dept. asks contractors to tighten computer security amidst threats by foreign intruders

The US Department of Defence has reportedly instructed contractors to tighten their computer security procedures, and report any cyber intrusions which result in loss of crucial technical information.

The Pentagon said that defence contractors would require incorporating established information security standards on their unclassified networks.

According to News24, Pentagon said that the rules would apply to all new contracts that use or generate unclassified but valuable technical information, such as data concerning defence system requirements, designs, engineering, production and manufacturing capabilities.

The report said that defence contractors across the department's supply chain have been targeted by cyber criminals seeking to steal technical data.

The amendment to defence acquisition rules are in response to a memo by Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel on 10 October calling for tougher security measures to protect technical data.

The report added that the US officials have estimated that foreign intruders have stolen terabytes of data from military and defence company computers over the past decade, with the loss of intellectual property and competitiveness valued at more than 1 trillion dollars.