Schumer: FAA Must Upgrade Computer Security Against Hackers
ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Sen. Charles Schumer is calling for upgrades to the computer systems used by the nation's air traffic controllers after a report found vulnerabilities to hackers.
The New York Democrat said Sunday that has written to the Federal Aviation Administration to urge the agency to immediately implement several security upgrades to protect the systems.
"Money should be no object -- I don't think it'll be that expensive -- nor should any other logistical barrier," Schumer told WCBS 880.
Schumer cited a Government Accountability Office report released last week that found several weaknesses in the computer system's handling of sensitive data and its firewall security.
He said the vulnerabilities raise the possibility that hackers could take the air traffic control system off-line while thousands of planes are in the air across the nation.
"Chaos would result. The potential damage is enormous. And even worse, sophisticated terrorists could get control of this system and actually direct planes into one another," Schumer said.
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