Pentagon Says Cyber-Threat Sharing May Reach 1,000 Companies

The Pentagon predicts that as many as 1,000 defense contractors may join a voluntary effort to share classified information on cyber threats under an expansion of a first-ever initiative to protect computer networks.

Following a pilot program that involved 36 contractors and three of the biggest U.S. Internet providers, the Obama administration approved a rule letting the Pentagon enlist all contractors and Internet providers with security clearances in the information exchange, according to Eric Rosenbach, deputy assistant secretary of defense for cyber policy.