"Cybersecurity is about effective relationships and shared security.  The Homeland Security and Defense Departments are working together to combat cyber-attacks, which is good to know because, together, both have the capabilities to protect military and civilian networks.  It also wouldn't hurt if colleges and universities would make cybersecurity a multidisciplinary pursuit...assuring readers that the government is continuing its work to secure federal civilian networks and help the private sector secure the cyberinfrastructure."

--  Secretary Janet Napolitano, US Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Cyber Command was established at Fort Meade Maryland under the umbrella of the U.S. Strategic Command.  At the helm is Air Force General Keith B Alexander who is also director of the National Security Agency and head of the Central Security Service. The U.S. Capitol Hill Congress appointed General Alexander responsible for directing the operations and defense of the Defense Department's information networks, the systemic and adaptive planning, integration and synchronization of cyber-activities and for conducting full-spectrum military cyberspace operations to ensure U.S. and allied freedom of action in cyberspace.

Appearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee for a confirmation hearing for his appointment as the secretary of defense, Leon Panetta warned that the U.S. could face cyberwarfare in battles to come.  “The next Pearl Harbor we confront could very well be a cyber attack that cripples our power systems, our grid, our security systems, our financial systems, our governmental systems,” Panetta said. Though he talked on subjects ranging from Libya to withdrawing troops from Afghanistan to the war on terrorism, Panetta highlighted his concerns regarding the U.S.'s preparedness for cyberattacks. “This is a real possibility in today’s world,” he said. “As a result, I think we have to aggressively be able to counter that. It is going to take both defensive measures as well as aggressive measures to deal with it."

-- Leon Panetta, US Secretary of Defense

Learn more about Cyber threats by clicking the link to the left to see CNBC's original Code Wars. This feature takes a look at Cyber attacks and the risks involved for national security and the economy.