The United States Department of Defense developed some of the technology that led to the internet. Defense department workers built what they say was the first workable model for the internet many years ago. The goal was for U.S. universities and researchers to share information. Later, the goal became data sharing between the U.S. and other countries. Because of that work, and others, the world is now more connected than ever. There is more information stored online than any of the internet’s creators could have imagined. But that also means it is harder than ever to keep important data safe from criminals. Steve Welby is the Defense Department’s Chief Technology Officer. He spoke with VOA about some of the issues the department faces in protecting its information from cyber attacks. Welby says the growth of data available on computer systems is “both an opportunity and a challenge.”
