Fight Against CyberTerrorism to Begin at Univerisity of Arkansas

The University of Arkansas is stepping up in its fight against terrorism. Homeland Security Undersecretary Asa Hutchinson announced in Little Rock today the school will receive a $2.8 million grant. It will go to the National Center for Rural Law Enforcement to train officers in preventing cyberterrorism. "Whenever you look at the threat of cybersecurity, it`s not something that just impacts our financial sector," Hutchinson said. He also said computer viruses have resulted in $55 billion in business losses worldwide, and 70% of power and energy companies have reported at least one cyberattack over a six-month period. Energy and power companies in Arkansas are only part of the reason the state must maintain strong defenses against any threat. "When you look at energy systems in Arkansas, our port systems here, transportation systems, all of those have to be protected," Hutchinson explained. "Obviously reforms or initiatives going on at that border affect Arkansas and their movement across the country, in terms of where they`d go next, when they cross that border," said Sen. Shane Broadway, D-22nd district. Hutchinson announced the two-year grant to the U of A after addressing the Southern Legislative Conference in downtwon Little Rock, Sunday. Twelve hundred delegates from 16 states are attending the conference which lasts through Wednesday.