ATTORNEY GENERAL: ‘Staggering Volume Of Money Being Stolen Online . . . Has The Potential To Threaten . . . Security Of Our Nation . . . [And . . .] Integrity Of Our Government’

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder

NOTE TO READERS: The headline of this news brief is excerpted from remarks made in Indiana today by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder.

Read Holder’s full remarks here.

The attorney general was speaking at a summit on cybersecurity. His remarks may be the clearest sign yet that the United States is dialing up its efforts to fight online crime because of the threat it poses to national security and economic well-being.

“In recent years, we’ve seen clear, and alarming, advances in the sophistication and commercialization of crimes involving electronic networks,” Holder said.  “And the staggering volume of money being stolen online today has the potential to threaten not only the security of our nation — but the integrity of our government, the stability of our economy, and the safety of our people.”

The United States faces threats from criminal syndicates, terrorist organizations, foreign- intelligence groups, malicious intruders and others, Holder said.