Amping Up Cyber Security

China has been under suspicion of launching several cyber attacks. The U.S. has been victim to more than one. A recent article on eWeek.com revealed that the Chinese are suspected to having been behind yet another attack; one that interfered with two U.S. satellites that track the earth’s climate and terrain. One occurred in 2007 and the other in 2008; however, it is only now that an elaborate report is going to be released. The perpetrators were somehow able to access the ground control system which in worst cases could allow the satellites to be remotely controlled. This thankfully did not occur and they were only targeted with several minutes of interference. Nevertheless, the report said: “Such interference poses numerous potential threats, particularly if achieved against satellites with more sensitive functions. (Rashid).

It is interesting that China has been under suspicion for nearly most of the cyber attacks involving the U.S. However, in most cases one cannot say for sure that the attacks did originate from China, because it is easy to hide the origin of the hack. However, the economic relationship between China and the U.S. puts an additional strain on any suggestions. Some U.S. advisers have claimed that China has been stealing information from U.S. companies to be used by Chinese businesses. The competition and tense trade between the two countries make the situations of cyber attacks all the more controversial. One may consider taking these attacks as an indication of a new arms race. The U.S. has definitely made plans to amp up its own cyber security. Since President Bush launched the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative (CNCI), the government has been looking into heavily recruiting cyber experts and hackers to help protect systems. Additionally, the Pentagon has decided to officially label cyber attacks as “acts of war” that should be responded with real-world force (Oswald). This brings about the issue whether retaliation should occur only if attacks result in physical damage, or even if they merely compromise information and wealth. Currently, cyber assaults on governments have been small scale and only a couple have even included full control of systems accessed cyber space. Nevertheless, every country is on the watch for more threatening attacks. The U.S. has been especially worried about virtual attacks since 9.11. fearing that terrorist groups may take their aggression out in cyber space.  Since the U.S. has numerous computer controlled machines and an advanced systematized infrastructure, it could be more vulnerable to cyber attacks than many other countries. It is, however, also advanced in being able to launch its own cyber attacks. Will the U.S. be willing to launch its own serious of assaults? We have seen one example with Stuxnet but will there be more and could this result in other countries declaring war on us? 

“Educating Elite Hackers.” March 9, 2010. The Daily Beast. http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2010/03/09/educating-elite-hackers.html.

Fahmida Y. Rashid. “Chinese Military Hackers Blamed for Attacking Two U.S. Satellites.” Oct. 10, 2011. eWeek.com. http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Chinese-Military-Hackers-Blamed-for-Attacking-Two-US-Satellites-816385/

Ed Oswald. “U.S. Government Says Cyber Attacks May Be Acts of War.”  May 31, 2011. http://www.pcworld.com/article/229068/us_government_says_cyber_attacks_may_be_acts_of_war.html

U.N. and U.S. Hit by Cyber Attack

According to an article and blog post on msnbc.com, the UN was victim to one of the biggest cyber attacks ever discovered. It went on for five years, during which national secrets, source codes, databases, email archives and much more was compromised to an unidentified party. In March this year, McAfee discovered the intrusion and revealed its extent of over 72 victim organizations. As seen by the chart below, the U.S. was the largest country hit and the intrusion focused heavily on government agencies.

The extent and focus of the hack suggests that it was lead by a single nation. Many analysts in this case have pointed to China; however, there is no concrete evidence behind this suspicion. It is yet unknown what will happen to the enormous amount of secret information leaked but the thought that it is out there in foreign hands is an unnerving one. The U.N. is presently focusing on investigations and putting out a report.  

The extent of these cyber attacks makes one question anyone’s security and privacy on the web and internet. Even though technology allows for communication across the world, it does not lead to more peaceful negotiations. Once the technology of cyber defenses allows for identifying the sources of cyber attacks, nations must come up with plans on how to deal with their adversaries. Even though in theory nations especially those on good terms should not feel the need to hide new knowledge, in reality each nation competes for wealth and power. The endless possibilities of hacking and spying in cyber space will create more and more tension internationally. As I see it, cyber attacks will lead to alarming altercations in the future.  

 

Choney, Suzanne, U.S. Was Chief Target Of Cyber Attacks: McAfee. 3 Aug. 2011 Technolog. “MSNBC.com.” 

http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/08/03/7239686-us-was-chief-target-of-cyber-attacks-mcafee.

Finkle, Jim. Biggest-Ever Series of Cyber Attacks Uncovered, UN hit. 3 Aug. 2011. MSNBC.com. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43998147/ns/technology_and_science-security/t/biggest-ever-series-cyber-attacks-uncovered-un-hit/#.TqR9prJXXyB.