Two recent US government documents have emphasized the need for the US military to take the offense in countering nation-states and terrorist groups that carry out cyber attacks of US assets. In the fiscal year 2012 defense authorization act, Congress explicitly gives the president and the Department of Defense the legal authority to carry out offensive cyberwar activities.
2. Cybersecurity as a Campaign Issue
A major attack on key information systems could create havoc throughout the United States and severely damage the ability of our government, economy and society to function properly. Yet, as voters around the country begin the process to elect the next president, cybersecurity as a campaign issue is virtually nonexistent.
3. Defense Bill Approves Offensive Cyber Warfare
The annual defense budget passed in December affirms that the Department of Defense may carry out offensive cyber attacks to defend U.S. interests and those of its allies. It also requires the military to take certain defensive cyber measures, including the creation of a new insider threat program. The National Defense Authorization Act doesn't give the military carte blanche to unleash malware across the Web. Rather, according to the act, such attacks must be carried out upon the President's direction, and are subject to both the law of warfare and the War Powers Resolution.
4. Access to Social Networking Sites Increases the Risk of APTs
If you are reading this blog, you should also peruse Jim Duffy’s blog about the security behavior of young adults. Jim highlights a Cisco research study that reveals the callous indifference young people have for workplace IT and security policies. When I read Jim’s blog, I had jump in with some ESG Research supporting the Cisco study.
5. Skynet: Hackers Dream Up Censor-Proof Satellite Internet Grid
Organizers of a project called the "Hackerspace Global Grid" want to launch a network of small, low-orbiting satellites in order to facilitate Internet access that can't be blocked by government censors. The network would also include an array of base stations around the world. The project's developers are excited, but doubters say it's not going to fly.
Read more:
http://www.threatgeek.com/2012/01/threat-geek-weekly-update-january-12-2012.html
