What are the main risks to cyber security and are states or non-state actors the main challenge? Word Count 1188
Cybercrime is a serious issue that the international community faces today, with risks such as theft, espionage, surveillance and sabotage, a very real and accessible threat exists. Cyber security can be defined as a cyber activity that may threaten the security of a system or its information (Threat report 2015). There are various state and non state actors that both participate, instigate and also defend for and against these risks to both manage and maintain security and safety for the nation it protects. This report will look into the various risks and the challenges each nation
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Cyberspace has many vulnerabilities in which malicious actors can use this system in ways it was not intended to do. There was a variety of ways in which state and non-state actors can use these vulnerabilities such as malicious software to launch a cyber attack such as theft, espionage, surveillance and sabotage. The effects of a cyber attack can be highly uncertain and unexpected. Worms and viruses, attack tools, can spread uncontrollably and globally. Cyber attacks are then seen as a tool for a state to employ as a utility against an adversary to create a bargaining range to prevent an apparent war (Brantly, 2014).
Cybertheft is the act of using an internet to steal someone’s or interfere with someone’s use of property (USlegal.com). This theft can include financial or personal information from the hacking use of a computer. Malware (Malicious software) has been used increasingly lately becoming a concern for businesses, governments and individuals. Malware uses backdoor Trojans to capture people’s information covertly. Examples of Cyber thefts include embezzlement, fraud and theft of intellectual property. The National Computer Security Survey found that in 2005 of 7818 businesses surveyed, 67% detected at least one cybercrime and 11% of those detected Cybertheft. Macdonald and Fitzgerald (2014) states that the most common type of fraud is embezzlement, being over 35% of recorded fraud cases. They also
There are two main ideas covered in the first chapter. The first is that the idea of a free and open internet, while containing some merit at first, is going away quickly, with governments rapidly finding ways to exert control over the use of cyberspace both in their borders and out. The second main idea is that cyberwarfare and computers present new angles of conflict from conventional weaponry such as the intended targets, method of implementation, potential impacts, and level of damage caused. The author draws on multiple examples from different countries and time periods to support his main
Today however, a new type of warfare has emerged and occurs when outside entities conduct an attack on a power grid, network, or both with the intent of causing damage. This type of warfare is called cyber warfare. In the United States computers control everything. It is no secret that hostile countries and terrorist organizations are cognizant and they know our economy, security, and infrastructure can be crippled by a successful cyber-attack. Examples of potential targets for cyber terrorists include military bases, water systems, banking facilities, air traffic control centers and power plants. Even the Commander in Chief, President Obama has stated the threat of a cyber war is real and we must prepare for it and increase our security measures. First, this paper will discuss cyberterrorism and cyber-attacks as they pose a direct threat to national security and the economy. Then, we will review cyber-attacks against the U.S. from China, Iran, and Russia along with the impact and possible ramifications from those attacks. Finally, this paper discusses U.S. strategies to minimize the impact of cyber-attacks.
The immediate cyber threats to national security has been assessed as high. Cyber security threats are increasing in the number, type and sophistication of the threat. Although a detailed analysis is currently being developed, the ACSC’s Threat Report 2015 predicts the following attributes of cybercrime to increase in the coming decade.
When considering the technological advances over the past 50 years, the Internet has undoubtedly had the greatest impact on everyday life of developed economies and its citizens. The world has become smaller, societies interconnected, and the pace of global integration dramatically increased since the introduction of the Internet. As people and information become increasingly integrated around the world, physical borders between nations are no longer sufficient to restrict access to information and sensitive data. This integrated world allows for malicious cyber actors to advance strategic
As a country with a growing dependency on technology the threat from terrorist organization and other adversaries have an increasing chance of infiltrating our nation’s cyber space causing disruption to our everyday life. Due to the importance of our critical infrastructures, we as a nation will continue to attract threats trying to shut down our society with extremist groups and terrorist groups.
We all know that cyber security is something of great importance to anyone trying to protect their network assets, customer assets, and personal assets. The list of possible risks associated with neglecting to practice good cyber security are endless, and the dangers lurking out in
Cyberwarfare - The strengthening of our advantage in the cyber domain directly influences the operational environment by preventing the degradation of the technological advantage we currently enjoy. Despite known and predicted risk, we currently have a 10:1 advantage over our nearest peer competitor China, as regards technology, research, and development. (Miller, p.11) A failure to protect and defend our cyber domain could have catastrophic effects on our infrastructure, economy, military capabilities, and even threaten the public’s confidence in our democratic process (CCJO JF 2030, p. A-1). Non-state actors use of cyber warfare presents a unique challenge to nation states in that it has the potential to degrade traditional forms of national power such as diplomacy, information, military and economic power (Miller, p.34).
There is a new threat to the world, cyberspace. New technologies are being developed daily that threaten secure organizations. Attackers are able to take advantage of any vulnerability that they can find no matter the geological location. This threat poses risks to the economy, militaries, and governments around the world. The U.S. is at the forefront of the defense of cyber security, but with the endless number of cyber terrorists, the U.S. defense is not enough. Nations need to come together to provide a standard for cyber security that is able to be enforced throughout the world. The many different organizations provide many avenues of approach for various attackers to take advantage of the vulnerabilities in cyber defense. The only way to prevent these attacks is for the U.S. and its international partners to develop a strategy for global cyber security. Actions are currently being taken by many of the U.S. 's allies, yet there is still much work to be done. The enforcement of cyber security standards must take place in all government organizations, and similar standards should be followed by civilian corporations. This new cyber-warfare must be regulated and controlled just like any other battlespace.
Terrorist cyber-attacks on national institutions will result in greater devastation than a cyber-crime directed against an individual. At the current rate in which technology is increasing, establishments must constantly upgrade their system’s security. If the national institutions fail to be vigilant to the present day cyber threats, they will become victims of terrorist cyber-attacks. “Our nation's government, military, scientific, commercial and entertainment sectors all operate on the same networks as our adversaries” (Alexander 18). A terrorist cyber-attack that is successful, has the potential to put people at risk, by allowing sensitive information to get into the wrong hands, disrupting resources, or by altering system information in corporations, to cause harm or confusion. Since a terroristic attack is focused on causing violence or chaos, the targets at risk would be “energy sources and electric grids, water and sewer systems, manufacturing, banks, transportation and communication networks” (Brenner 15).
Cyber threat covers many malicious activities in cyberspace. There are many examples of these activities that show how wide and complex the attacks can be. Individuals can attack personal home computers, government websites, involve themselves in cyber espionage, damage physical infrastructures, steal millions of dollars, or even cause the stocks to fluctuate due to inaccurate information posted online. With the current wave of companies being hacked, it is clear that cybercrime is growing, and is only going to get worse.
Computers and the Internet have caused the United State’s National Security to embark on amazing advancements in technology. Yet, both computers and the Internet can quickly grow to become threatening dangers across the nations. With classified, financial, military, and government information often being stored through databases, a cyber breach is a possibility that should be a forefront concern of the United State’s National Security’s defense.
When someone talks about information technology is important to talk about cyber-attack, because cybercrimes have increased a lot in recent years. Perceptions about hacking and computer crime are changing because of the increased dependency on the internet into our daily life. In order to continue to provide a safe and secure computing environment, IT professionals need to comprehend the examination of high profile cyber-attacks that includes Target’s data breach (2013), Google China hit by cyber-attack (2009), sabotage Iran’s nuclear program (2007 to 2010). This examination of high profile cyber-attack assists to (1) serve as a preventative measure, (2) encourage safety policies, and (3)
In the cyber world, there are many challenges that face all inhabitants. These challenges are more wide ranging every day. All users have to be more vigilant in reducing these challenges. Individuals and groups have to do their due diligence in mitigating these risks.
Cybercrime has become a fast growing concern for the 21st century as businesses, institutions and individuals grow into an interconnected web of computer networks. Online business transactions, along with the sharing of personal information, are vulnerable to a host of disasters that can reap economic and social havoc. Some sources say that today, cybercrime costs more than $1.0 trillion to society--Global Industry Analysts, Inc. forecasted the world cyber security market to reach $80 billion by 2017 (Gale, 2011).
Existing and potential threats in the area of cyber security are among the most critical challenges of the 21st century. Threats emanate from a wide variety of sources, and manifest themselves in disruptive activities that target individuals, businesses, national infrastructures, and governments alike. Their effects carry significant risk for public safety, the security of nations and the stability of the globally linked international community as a whole. Malicious use of information technology can easily be concealed. The origin, identity of the perpetrator, or motivation for the disruption can be difficult to ascertain. Often, the perpetrators of these activities can only be inferred from the target, the effect or other circumstantial evidence. Threat actors can operate with substantial impunity from virtually anywhere.