Bruce Blair surveys the dangers from Russian terrorists acquiring "loose nukes" or other nuclear material and he argues for a more comprehensive plan to reduce the risks. He also introduces a new threat, that cyber-terrorists might hack into Russia's ailing nuclear early warning network and fool it in thinking an attack had taken place.
Russian and US experts meet this month to assess terror tactics, from hacking into systems to seizing a weapon.
Computer hackers have tried to sabotage joint US-Russian exercises aimed at tackling major natural disasters according to the Russian ministry of emergency situations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin approved an 'information security doctrine' that will strengthen the government's role in monitoring information flows in Russia.
Economic strife is creating a new breed of bold and talented computer hackers in Russia.
The Central Intelligence Agency reported that it was picking up growing signs that countries such as Russia and China were developing tools to attack commercial computer networks at the heart of U.S. might.
The Pentagon has stepped up cyber-defense and is planning cyber-combat. The FBI is still struggling to unravel Moonlight Maze, a massive assault on U.S. government computers that has been traced to Russia. Prodded by the White House, other agencies are also scrambling to protect America's electronic infrastructure from a daily digital barrage from around the world.
US officials believe Russia may have stolen some of the nation's most sensitive military secrets, including weapons guidance systems and naval intelligence codes, in a concerted espionage offensive that investigators have called operation Moonlight Maze.