|
|
|
|
|
Cyber Warfare Menu
The debate continues and the attacks against all computer networks increases, as does the defensive measures, and the training of personnel responsible for securing, and using these networks. The simple fact is the design of the Internet was done for academics and defense contractors, with no thought that it would eventually be populated with criminals, scam artists and hackers bent on spreading damage and destruction. The scope of the threat is also skewed by the major US Defense Contractors seeking lucrative government contracts to build, and run Cyber Warfare Centers, and this is compounded by a "Turf War" between the military and the NSA as to who should be in charge of monitoring, and responding to cyber attacks. One thing is certain -- it will get worse before it get's better! Obama's Cyber Warrior Quits
Many believe that the conflicts with NSA, DHS and the military as to who controls the nations cyber warfare capabilities made her job untennable and so she left to go into the calmer world of academia. The extent of cyber warfare is one of the topics being discussed for the ComLinks Intel Forum. Like Global Warming there are as many who believes the threat is overblown as there are who believe it is real. The European Cyber Perspective
Now the United Kingdom is moving ahead at a rapid pace, Lord West pictured here is the new political leader in charge of the UK initiative. NATO has created the cyber warfare think tank in Estonia, and the offensive capabilities of GCHQ Cheltenham have been hinted at by Prime Minister Gordon Brown. "Carpet Bombing in Cyberspace" by USAF Colonel Charles W Williamson III brings back vivid memories of US Friendly Fire, and attacks on the wrong targets through faulty intelligence. The result is that all countries now see the need to protect themselves from friend and foe alike. The Power Grid and Cyber Warfare
With most software brought to market before it is fully developed, and most networks full of security holes this area of expertise promises to be the focus of governments and military planners in the future. These vulnerabilities were described on the pages of ComLinks Magazine as far back as 1996 when the investigations into Y2K unveiled a whole slate of problems waiting to be fixed. Sadly in 2000 the lessons learned were forgotten. Senator Bob Bennett, pointed out vulnerabilities in 2007 which fell on deaf ears. Today we are in a panic to catch up! "Bridging the Gaps in our Nation's Cyber Security"
After the presentation we managed to talk with over a dozen key leaders of cyber security from the government and key industries. There are those who believe the cyber debate is overblown and just another ploy for the Defense Contractors to line their pockets. Whilst there is a lot of truth in that statement, and a large part of the audience had financial interests in whipping up a firestorm, the fact still remains that we have developed awful networks, with the focus on profits, and little on security. These decisions based on greed will come back to haunt us in any future conflict, against a computer savvy society. The overall conference focused the priorities, and was one of the few to delve into Venture Capital for new technology companies. Seems like the deck is stacked against them, and in favor of the usual Defense Contractors. Behind the Scenes of Cyber Crime
In 2002 Special Agent Robert Weaver was in charge of the Electronic Crimes Task Force and we were on a panel together at the United Nations. (This photo was from that UN conference.) We met up again at the reception following the DC conference, and with many others, from NSA Directors, to some who would prefer to remain in the shadows, but have made a significant contribution to the safety and security of cyber safety, and ecommerce. Thank you all!
|
The entire scope, effects and damage that can result in Cyber Warfare is the subject of much debate. Some believe it can bring a country such as the United States, or Britain to a halt, with devastating consequences. Others believe the threat is overblown, and the crashing of badly constructed Federal websites does not constitute an attack that warrants a military response. 
Melissa Hathaway, quit as acting Cybersecurity chief at the National Security Council. She recently presented the 60 day White House review of the "State of the Nation's Defenses" against cyber attacks and cyber warfare at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, on June 12th, saying that there must be a public/private partnership to protect the nation's critical infrastructure against cyber attacks, whether they come from criminals, hackers or governments.
It wasn't that long ago that I was discussing the UK and European perspective on the cyber threats with the UK cyber managers and how the UK and Europe would move forward to protect their critical communications infrastructure from China, Russia and the United States. Not everyone trusts the United States when it comes to cyber warfare and cyber crime, especially after crashing the world's economic system to fuel greed and extravagant lifestyles. 
The reliance on the Internet for communications and financial trading has made it a fertile operating area for criminals, and one where the military and organized crime see as ripe for developing to achieve their goals in Asymmetric Warfare. This message has been brought home by Alan Simpson in many TV appearances 
Alan Simpson was at the conference and briefing on "Bridging the Gaps" in our nation's Cyber Security: Connecting Leadership, Innovation, and Policy at the National Press Club on Thursday June 25th. The keynote speaker was V.Adm(Ret) Michael McConnell, the former Director of National Intelligence, and Director of NSA. 
The cyber security conference organized by former Secret Service Agent Robert Rodriguez brought together many of the top intelligence and security leaders. The role played by the Secret Service goes on quietly behind the scenes, and they tend to shun publicity. Many old friends were there.