The Defense Agency is set to develop computer systems to combat attempts by hackers to disrupt the country's defense operation by breaking into key computer systems, sources said Monday.
The sources said the agency is studying a system that could inflict damage on defense systems in other countries through the Internet even though it could run contrary to the Constitution.
The agency hopes to launch full-fledged development of the system, which will cover the Ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defense forces in the budget for fiscal 2001, the sources said.
The agency plans to organize a squad that will handle antihacker and antivirus schemes, by picking officers from the three forces, the sources said.
The sources said the international community has yet to reach a consensus on defining countermeasures against defense hackers as a "use of force."