cyber security vulnerabilities

I have learned skills to diagnose and repair software vulnerabilities within Windows and Linux operating systems through the CyberPatriot program. I also participated in additional studies within the Cisco Networking Academy and received a perfect score on the Cisco Networking Quiz during the CyberPatriot competition.

In the early days of computing, a hacker was primarily referred to as a computer guru, someone who is extremely technical with a high expertise in computer also known as “Expert Programmers”. Nevertheless, as technology is advancing at a face pace, hacking has adopted a completely different definition. The modern definition is someone who access a computer system primarily to steal or destroy information. Hacking has caused major harm in the realm of technology. Over the years, hackers have become much more lethal in their craft. They manage to break into complex information systems from entities such as banks, government agencies, and private businesses. Furthermore, they often manipulate their victims through social engineering in order to obtain financial benefits. Hackers hold different label such as: black hat hacker and white hat hacker in which all have their own motives.

Linton (2011, p.44) stated that hacking of network of common users and attacking their personal computers is one of the most threatening problems at present. It is happening in every second that results in a loss in several ways like loss of credentials, personal information etcetera. Although the use of personal computers and the internet has been increased rapidly, numbers of users who are the expert and have good knowledge to tackle the matters are very rare. In addition, time, as well as required equipment to protect hacking, is also very.

Cyberspace – Joint Forces will secure the ‘.mil’ domain, requiring a resilient (DoD) cyberspace architecture that employs a combination of detection, deterrence, denial, and multi-layered defense. We will improve our cyberspace capabilities so they can often achieve significant and proportionate effects with less cost and lower collateral impact (p. 19).

The United States houses more than 15 critical infrastructures, all of which implement information and communication technologies (ICT) systems, making the risk of a cyberwar a constant possibility. In order to

7. DSB Task Force, “Resilient Military Systems and the Advanced Cyber Threat,” Defense Science Board, 18 January 2013, http://www.acq.osd.mil/dsb/reports/ResilientMilitarySystems. CyberThreat.pdf.

In this day and age, the risks of cyber-attacks have seemingly become more prevalent through aggressions done by both foreign and domestic terrorists acting out in response towards either religious, political, or financial consciences. These attacks consist of hackers possessing abilities that can alter digital perspectives of banking and also the capability to adjust physical aspect like water systems and even nuclear power plants. The relevance in emphasizing the importance of cyber-security is directly related to the growing number of foreign attacks done unto the American people and how these attacks must be further met by improved security in order to combat cyber termism from causing any more harm. To begin researching on how these attacks may be vanquished, one must first relate back to the source of these strikes− this pertain to either the countries or groups responsible−as well as the effects of these attacks of American lifestyles and the potential human security faults that correlate with them. Lastly, the role in both Government and private business must be looked at as well in order to make sure that the privacy among American citizens and their identity are being handled safely and with the utmost security available in order to counter attacks done by these elite hacking groups.

Hacking in the world of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is defined as the process of getting unauthorized access to the technical details of a computer such as, programs, applications or the entire computer system. Hacking is performed to improve the system capabilities or to manipulate its normal functions. People who are engaged in this practice are known as “Hackers” (777, 777, 888, 888).

For thousands of years warfare remained relatively unchanged. While the tactics and weapons have changed as new methods of combat evolved, men and women or their weapons still had to meet at the same time and place in order to attack, defend, surrender or conquer. However, the advent of the of the internet has created a new realm of combat in which armies can remotely conduct surveillance, reconnaissance, espionage, and attacks from an ambiguous and space-less digital environment. Both state and non-state actors have already embraced this new realm and utilized both legal and illegal means to further facilitate their interests. What complicates cyber security further is as states attempt to protect themselves from cyber-warfare, private

Cyber Security is a vital issue in Homeland Security. Today, more and more people are using the Internet, which is increasing the amount of cyber attacks. Child Pornography is a major concern within the United States. The Federal law defines child pornography as “any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a minor.” Child Pornography offenders are able to access images through websites, forums, instant messaging, etc. A policy outcome that would be chosen to help prevent child exploitation is giving parents permission to put a tracking device in their children. This way their parents will know their every move, which will help the response time in kidnappings. This is because it could be potentially related to trafficking. This policy outcome is optional not mandated because it is unethical, however a way to keep children safer.

The branches of the military, for a couple generations, have always been the Army, Navy, Air force, Marine Corps, and the Coast Guard; however, in an ever evolving digital world, the notion that outer space would be the next military front is being rapidly replaced by the idea that cyber space will be the next arms race. The United States has been defending attacks on their infrastructure day after day, night after night, when one hacker on one side of the world sleeps, another takes their place to attempt to compromise the US government. The motives may range from a political ‘hacktivist’ trying to prove a point, to an economic spy, trying to gain a competitive edge on its more upstart rivals, to an attempt to control the United States

As it is not possible to defend against everything everywhere, the Department of Defense must identify, prioritize, and defend its most important networks, including in a degraded or disrupted environment in the event of a successful attack (“Department of Defense Cyber Strategy,” 2015). One of the steps expected is

The damage of a full-fledged cyber attack would be devastating, the destruction would be unparalleled to any other tragedy that has occurred America. Since technology is responsible for providing America with vital entities and resources, an unadulterated cyber attack would nearly fail the American economy; this is what is known as critical systems failure. Weapons of mass destruction and cyber attacks present imminent threats of critical systems failure. Although currently Americas’ critical infrastructures are coordinated by controlled systems, majority of these systems are indeed connected to the American cyberspace. This exposes one of America’s most vulnerable spot amidst cyber security. Another major vulnerable spot within the nations IT security would be the geographical physical location for each of Americas primary infrastructures, as well as their productivity. Due to the proximal locations, the major infrastructures could very well be infiltrated by one efficient CNA.

This course also provided excellent topics to help the student understand the specific methods and tools used for hacking and system penetration efforts. In contrast, MSIA 676 often provide an abstracted examination of methods, a high-level introduction

Security researchers and attackers have both identified ways of determining security related weaknesses on systems. The researchers and attackers are also able to automatically create codes to manipulate the vulnerabilities. Today, only those vulnerabilities that have previously been detected are able to be prevented. However, most desktop machines and laptops often succumb to attacks that have not been witnessed before (Skoudis, 2009). The attackers are able to detect flaws in systems before manufacturers can come up with ways of controlling them.