"Perfect Citizen" is the name of a government program to monitor the computer networks of public and private entities that can be led by the National Security Agency (NSA). Perfect Citizen is being developed to protect power grids, water supplies and other resources vital to national security from cyber attacks. To supporters, Perfect Citizen is a reassuring presence, while others see Big Brother in massive automated NSA surveillance.

Resource for this article: Is Perfect Citizen national security, or Big Brother in disguise? by Personal Money Store

NSA increases its reach with Perfect Citizen

The story about Perfect Citizen broke within the Wall Street Journal. The Journal reports that surveillance by the NSA, the government's chief eavesdropping agency, would rely on a set of sensors deployed in computer networks for critical infrastructure that would be triggered by unusual activity suggesting an impending cyber attack. A classified contract worth up to $ 1 million was recently awarded to Ratheon, the defense contractor for phase one of Perfect Citizen. Perfect Citizen has caused some industry and government officials aware of its aims to believe it is an NSA intrusion into private domestic affairs. Others say it the NSA surveillance is long overdue Internet security for preventing an emerging threat, and that the NSA is the only agency with the gear and experience to handle the job.

Public companies get access to NSA data

The Journal article points out the greatest need for Perfect Citizen is older networks created before cyber attacks were an issue. Everything from air-traffic control to subways are run by many of those networks. These older networks have become sitting ducks for cyber attack since becoming more efficient by going online. The NSA said it will share what it learns with Perfect Citizen so that all companies can use the knowledge to upgrade Internet security.

Can we trust Big Brother to behave?

Perhaps because of its Orwellian title, Perfect Citizen makes a lot of people uncomfortable. PC World reports that their concern is that Perfect Citizen could be just the beginning and that the NSA will expand its authority to monitor all domestic network activity. By accessing the networks of public utilities and power plants, the NSA may also be tempted to get details about the power usage and travel plans of private citizens. It remains to be seen if Perfect Citizen can protect national security without violating the rights and privacy of the private citizen.

Discover more data here:

wsj.com

www.nsa.gov

pcworld.com