Operational, only in the sense it disrupts our operations http://www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/tech/cth523.htm An interesting article which reviews some of the history and some perspective on the government response to the denial of service attacks. Unfortunately, its even worse. Before the FBI created the NIPC, the NTIA/Department of Commerce was tasked with Internet protection. I went to one of the meetings at DOC. It felt like a cold war contractor unemployment office. The NTIA eventually appointed three groups to represent the interests of the Internet in cyber-security. Anyone know/remember who those groups were? Earlier, the government created the Critical Infrastructure Assurance Office. Before that there was a commission, but the Internet wasn't really considered an "interesting" infrastructure at that time. The US Government as been amazingly pro-active in this area, or at least some small groups have been. They've also consistently said the government can't protect the Internet. The infrastructure is owned by private companies and individuals; and industry has to work together to protect it. The question is does industry think its worthwhile to work together? After several major disruptions received at lot of media attention, IOPS was formed. Later members like UUNET dropped out. After the DOS attacks, several providers announced their Gold Ribbon initiative. Have any providers actually taking concrete steps to change their networks? The IESG has a last call for a Best Common Practice on Internet security. Will any provider actually follow it? There is a barely used $50 million center in Washington we can probably buy real cheap if folks think we'll ever need an emergency response coordination center in the future.