The National Infrastructure Simulation and Analysis Center will diagram the complex links between the country's critical Internet infrastructure , such as interdependent telecom and information technology networks, electric power grids, transportation systems, and gas and oil pipelines.

"The center will create an acupuncture map of the country, so we will know where to harden our protection," Clarke said in statement.

Better Information Exchange

The plan calls for better exchange of information between the private and government sectors, though it is not yet clear how the information exchange will take place.

The goal is for the security industry overall to better understand the links between networks -- how one incident in one network may affect others -- so it can devise better security systems and put in place more effective responses.

For example, a train derailment in Baltimore recently caused a fire in a tunnel, which, in turn, affected Internet connections in Chicago. Investigators learned later that the fire had damaged high-speed Internet backbone connections that were in the tunnel.

Maps Available Now

The effort would certainly not be the first attempt to diagram the Internet. There have been many, including the Internet Mapping Project, a long-term effort that collects routing data .

The project describes its Internet map as a "tree-like structure with 100,000 nodes." Included on its site is a map of Serbia showing damage from the war. Researchers say they hope one day to make a movie that shows the growth of the Internet, based on the data they have collected.

John Quarterman is perhaps the best-known cartographer and demographer of the Internet. His published maps can be found at Matrix Maps Quarterly.

Billions to be Spent

The action by the federal government is one of a flurry of moves involving the nation's Internet infrastructure since the September 11th terrorist attacks.

Congress is currently considering legislation that would release roughly US$900 million to be used for research into cyber security. The money would be divided between the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

Another bill would increase overall IT security spending at six federal agencies by about 50 percent -- roughly $7 billion over five years.

In addition, Congress is considering legislation that would ease restrictions included in the Freedom of Information Act. The new provisions would allow private companies to share information involving security breaches with the government without worrying about whether the information would be made public. (continued...)

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