The FBI considers the cyber threat against our nation to be one of the greatest concerns of the 21st century. Despite the enormous advantages of the Internet, U.S. networked systems have a gaping and widening hole in the security posture of both our private sector and government systems.

An increasing array of sophisticated state and non-state actors have the capability to steal, alter or destroy our sensitive data and, in the worst of cases, to manipulate from afar the process control systems that are meant to ensure the proper functioning of portions of our critical infrastructure.

Moreover, the number of actors with the ability to utilize computers for illegal, harmful, and possibly devastating purposes continues to rise. When assessing the extent of the cyber threat, the FBI considers both the sophistication and the intent of U.S. adversaries.

The most sophisticated actors have the ability to alter our hardware and software along the global supply chain route, conduct remote intrusions into our networks, establish the physical and technical presence necessary to re-route and monitor our wireless communications, and plant dangerous insiders within our private sector and government organizations.

The actors that currently have all of these capabilities - which is a finding that is distinct from whether and when they are using them - include multiple nation states and likely include some organized crime groups. The FBI has not yet seen a high level of end-to-end cyber sophistication within terrorist organizations.

Still, the FBI is aware of and investigating individuals who are affiliated with or sympathetic to al-Qaeda who have recognized and discussed the vulnerabilities of the U.S. infrastructure to cyber attack, who have demonstrated an interest in elevating their computer hacking skills, and who are seeking more sophisticated capabilities from outside of their close-knit circles.

Should terrorists obtain such capabilities, they will be matched with destructive and deadly intent.

Source: http://www.govinfosecurity.com/articles.php?art_id=1962