Time for Congress to offer help against cyber attacks

[Commentary] Banks have turned to the National Security Agency (NSA) for help in protecting their systems. The super-secret electronic surveillance agency has been at the forefront of defending U.S. government networks from intrusion; its director, Gen. Keith Alexander, also serves as chief of U.S. Cyber Command. What’s happening now is something that Gen. Alexander and other cyberexperts have warned about for a long time: attacks aimed at the soft underbelly of American society, our wired but vulnerable private sector. Congress would be well advised to focus early on this topic. The private sector remains unprepared for the kind of massive botnet assaults being aimed at the banks. The U.S. government can offer an important line of defense. Congress ought to lay down a foundation for this cooperation in new legislation, and without delay.