President Obama has great hopes and plans for cyberspace. But little has been said about what can really be done to protect it.

Obama certainly knows the problems. His own website was hacked during his presidential campaign, and there's hardly a day that goes by when there aren't stories and congressional hearings about the prospect of cyber intrusions. So far, these actual penetrations have been few, but their potential is enormous.

In a blog for the National Journal, reporter Shane Harris asks whether cybersecurity really be defended. It's a darn good question. Another that might be asked is, "What is actually being done?" While there's plenty of talk about better firewalls and tighter computer systems, we know that if someone wants to get in the door, there's always a way in.

For instance, there could be a government employee who might fail to take all essential precautions to keep a system tight and locked down. Software sold with the guarantee of security might not be adept enough to protect against the newest and latest enemy device.

Yes, there are plenty of "If's" in this debate, and there are plenty of successes, too. But it just takes one intrusion to turn the government on its head. And will government be up to the task when that cybermissile is incoming?

 For more on defending cyberspace:
- check out this National Journal article