Napolitano: US Will Suffer 'Major' Cyber-Attack in Future

A large-scale cyber attack against the United States is bound to happen and the nation must prepare to deal with it — quickly, outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano warns.

“Our country will, at some point, face a major cyber event that will have a serious effect on our lives, our economy and the everyday functioning of our society,” Napolitano said in a farewell address at the National Press Club, reports The Hill.

“While we have built systems, protections and a framework to identify attacks and intrusions, share information with the private sector and across government, and develop plans and capabilities to mitigate the damage, more must be done — and quickly," she continued.

“For every attack we experience, every threat we face and every piece of intelligence we come across, we learn; we assess our preparations and capabilities; we make changes; we become more flexible in the actions we take; and we get stronger and more nimble.”

Napolitano also said that her successor, who has not yet been named by President Barack Obama, must move to a “more risk-based, intelligence-driven security system” to strengthen air-travel safety.

Possible candidates include New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, former Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, former Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Jane Lute, and Bill Bratton, who has served as police commissioner in New York City, Los Angeles, and Boston.