"The architecture of the Nation's digital infrastructure, based largely upon the Internet, is not secure or resilient." It's a horrifying wakeup call that bluntly opens this report on one of the most serious national security and economic threats the United States-and, indeed, the world-faces in the 21st century. And it sets the stage for the national dialogue on cybersecurity it hopes to launch. Prepared by the U.S. National Security Council-which was founded by President Harry S. Truman to advise the Oval Office on national security and foreign policy-this official government account explores: the vulnerabilities of the digital infrastructure of the United States what we can do to protect it against cybercrime and cyberterrorism how to protect civil liberties and personal privacy in cyberspace why a citizenry educated about and aware of cybersecurity risks is vital the shape of the public-private partnership all these efforts will require Just as the United States took the lead in creating the open, flexible structures of the early Internet, it must now take the initiative in ensuring that our digital networks are as secure as they can be, without stifling the unprecedented freedom of opportunity and access the information revolution has afforded us all. This report is the roadmap for making that happen, and it is required reading for anyone who works or plays in the 21st-century digital world: that is, all of us.

"Defending our Nation against its enemies is the first and fundamental commitment of the Federal Government. Today, that task has changed dramatically. Enemies in the past needed great armies and great industrial capabilities to endanger America. Now, shadowy networks of individuals can bring great chaos and suffering to our shores for less than it costs to purchase a single tank. Terrorists are organized to penetrate open societies and to turn the power of modern technologies against us." From U.S. Security to Terrorism: A Three-Part Series was created by the National Security Council in response to the changing security needs of the United States in a post-9/11 world. Part I, The National Security Strategy of the United States of America, outlines the nation's goals regarding strengthening international alliances, defusing regional conflicts in the Middle East with the hope of preventing the growing threat from weapons of mass destruction, as well as building democracy and promoting economic growth within Islamic nations. Part II, The Global War on Terrorism: The First 100 Days, was issued in 2002 by the Coalition Information Centers. It summarizes specific actions taken by the Bush Administration regarding policies of diplomacy, the complex network of terrorist finances, and military campaigns in Iraq & Afghanistan, humanitarian relief programs including necessary respect for Islam. Part III, The National Security Council's 2003 report The National Strategy for Combating Terrorism, combines the information about the nature of the global terrorist threat today with specific goals and precise objectives on four fronts: defeating terrorist organizations with a global reach, denying support to terrorists, diminishing the underlying conditions that are exploited by terrorists, and defending the United States.