Computer-based network attacks are slowing down U. S. businesses of revenue and market advantage, while the Government faces the prospect of losing in an all-out cyberwar.

"If the nation went to war today in a cyberwar, we would lose", said Michael McConnell, Executive Vice President of Booz Allen Hamilton's National Security Business and a former Director of National Security and National Intelligence.

The Government needs to get actively involved in protecting the nation's network, in order to mitigate the risk from cyberattack.

During a conference of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, the subject of the discussion was the Cyber Security Act of 2009, which would regulate organizations and companies that provide critical infrastructure for the U. S., require licensing and certification for cybersecurity professionals, and provide funding for grant and scholarship programs.

The bill is necessary and overdue, said James Lewis, a Senior Fellow at the nonprofit Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Mary Ann Davidson, Chief Security Officer at Oracle, warned of the dangers of linking SCADA systems for monitoring and controlling critical infrastructure with the Internet.

"Cyberattacks are already damaging the American economy much more than is generally recognized. The loss is greater than losses due to identity theft and credit card fraud", said Scott Borg, Chief Economist at the nonprofit U. S. Cyber Companies and Markets.