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NAFCU Vice President of Legislative Affairs Brad Thaler is urging credit unions to take seriously Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano's warning that a cyber attack on the scale of 9/11 could impact the U.S. very soon.

During a speech Thursday at the Wilson Center in Washington, Napolitano warned that a major cyber attack could happen "imminently" and that critical infrastructure remains vulnerable. "We shouldn't wait until there is a 9/11 in the cyber world," she said. Napolitano also urged Congress to pass legislation to allow the government to share information with the private sector to prevent an attack on infrastructure.

Thaler said cyber security and data security will likely be big issues for Congress this year and they are areas that NAFCU is following closely. "This is something that should be on every credit union's radar, given the targeting of the financial sector in recent attacks," he said. "All credit unions need to take steps to be prepared in this area." NAFCU has outlined a series of data security measures it wants Congress to enact.

The latest on cyber security issues for credit unions will be a key focus of NAFCU's Technology and Security Conference next month in Austin, Texas. Space is still available for those who still want to register today. (Credit unions can also receive $100 off any 2013 NAFCU conference if they register by Jan. 31; use coupon code NEWYEAR).

A credit union trade report supports the need for credit unions to be vigilant: The website of University FCU (Austin) was down "for around two and one-half hours" on Thursday due to an apparent cyber attack, reportedCredit Union Times.

President Obama reportedly is expected to soon issue an executive order for a voluntary system to help protect some critical infrastructure and offer incentives to companies that participate.

• NAFCU issues brief, data security
• NAFCU Technology and Security Conference
• "Texas Credit Union Hit by DDoS Attackers,"Credit Union Times, 1/25