U.S Government: Hackers to face stricter sentences

In the wake of the revelation that both the U.S. Senate and CIA's websites were hacked, the White House has called for stricter sentences for any hacker caught breaking into a government's private computer networks.

According to a report from Reuters the Obama administration urged Congress to pass new laws that would double the maximum sentence hackers could receive. The new laws would mean that any hacker or group caught accessing the U.S. Government's networks could potentially face up to 20 years in prison.

The new laws proposed by Obama have not yet been approved, though already many analysts and political commentators have suggested that the recent pandemic of attacks make it likely that Congress will approve the measures.

Already hacking collectives like LulzSec and Anonymous have targeted a slew of major companies, government departments and agencies.

Just this week LulzSec issued a statement claiming that it had joined forces with its 4Chan-born sibling Anonymous in a new campaign against all the world's governments.

Under the U.S.'s current laws, first-time hacking offenders can only receive up to ten year sentences. This is the highest sentence possible and can only be given by a judge if the hacker's attack put the country's national security at risk. The maximum sentence for simple data theft is currently only five years.

The amended laws proposed by the Obama administration would extend this.

The new maximum sentence for an attack that endangered national security would be 20 years. Hacks that stole data worth more than $5000 would face a 10 year maximum sentence.

Additionally, the amended laws would mean that any hacker that defaces or vandalizes a government's website or network could receive a three year jail sentence.