Having faced and dealt with tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, South Carolina now needs to ready itself for the next potential catastrophe.

“Just imagine life in a city the size of Charleston where nobody’s cellphone works, where your computer shuts down and the power goes off. But unlike fixing a power line that is knocked down by a strong storm, there is someone out there intentionally causing this problem,” said Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.).

Although cyber attacks are inevitable, Rep. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) thinks the Space & Naval Warfare Systems Command can assist with these cyber threats with the technology that is developed.

“Eighty-five percent of the cyber network is owned by the private sector,” said Graham. “This is one area where the threat can only be dealt with in a partnership arrangement between the federal government, the state and local governments, and the private sector.”

Individuals must participate in the recovery of any catastrophe. Putting procedures in place such as using backup drives and keeping computer passwords and usernames in separate locations can assist in recovering from cyber attacks.

Source: Insurance Journal, July 19, 2012