FBI Director Robert Mueller told security professionals Thursday the bureau views cyber threats at the same level of concern as terrorism.
Mueller said the FBI still views terrorism as a top priority but is building up its cyber capabilities to prepare for cyber threats from states and terrorist groups alike, CNN Money reports.
The FBI anticipates cyber threats will soon pose the greatest threat to our country, Mueller told attendees at the RSA Conference in San Francisco.
While terrorists have yet to use the Internet to engage in their activities, Mueller suggested terrorists’ capabilities and intent should not be underestimated.
Following the Sept. 11 attacks, the FBI built up its anti-terrorism task forces with other agencies and the military.
The organization has developed 1,000 cyber agents and is focusing its cyber force to counter terrorists, state-sponsored cyber espionage and organized crime rings, Mueller said.
Meuller told attendeesthe FBI needs their help to mitigate cyber threats and that companies either have already been hacked or will be hacked in the future.
