TEK TALK Computer insights by Ed Collins

President Obama says cyber warfare

now more serious than terrorism

BY ED COLLINS

There’s an intense war going on but many don’t realize it. Millions of businesses have been raided and agencies of the federal government are constantly under attack.

It’s not a “boots on the ground” traditional type of combat such as in Afghanistan or the Middle East but it can be equally deadly if unleashed to its full potential.

Yes, it’s a worldwide Internet cyber-war being fought anonymously with computers from the far reaches of the world. President Barack Obama calls it “one of the most serious economic and national security challenges we face as a nation.” He says cyber warfare is now a more serious threat to this nation than terrorism.

The U.S. government estimates that we have already lost over $400 billion to countries like China, Iran and others who have been infiltrating our nation’s businesses and research facilities for years stealthily stealing patents, trade secrets, and spying on governmental defense plans. Naturally, they deny it.

James Lewis, a cyber security expert for the Center for Strategic and International Studies, in Washington, DC, says, “There’s no such thing as a secure unclassified computer network. If there’s something of interest you can assume you’ve been penetrated.” Lewis ought to know since he admits his organization has been hacked.

Shawn Henry, a cyber security investigator, said, “I’ve yet to come across a network that hasn’t been breached. It’s like having an invisible man in your office, going through your filing cabinets.”

Cyber warfare has also become a powerful weapon in the Pentagon arsenal, as well as a security concern. In the recently adopted US fiscal budget for 2013-2014 that becomes effective Oct. 1, spending on governmental cyber security and cyber weaponry will be boosted to $4.7 billion, a 21 percent increase from this year’s allocation.

Initially, Pentagon officials publicly maintained a low-key defensive cyber strategy, but as foreign cyber attacks increased they stepped up activity in this area. Both defensively as well as offensively.

One example of a successful offensive cyber attack a couple of years ago was use of the malicious software Stuxnet that the Israelis used against Iran in damaging their nuclear centrifuges. U.S. cyber technicians apparently played an important role in the development of this software, according to The New York Times.

Michigan Congressman Mike Rogers, Republican chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence has been quoted as saying, ” We are just a few lines of code away from someone else getting closer to a very sophisticated piece of malware that they either willingly or unwillingly will unleash across the world causing huge damage.”

In a full-scale attack from a foreign power or terrorist group, Pentagon officials speculate our infrastructure would bear the brunt of the attack. Our power grids, sanitation treatment facilities, the pumping of drinking water and other critical public facilities could be wiped out, along with financial institutions, hospitals, transportation, and other vital functions.

The Pentagon plans to use its increased cyber war budget allocation this coming year on expanding its “Cyber Command” department by adding technical personnel who can both protect our nation’s cyber security and enhance foreign intelligence monitoring efforts. Funds will also be used to develop more effective ways to protect our internal governmental networks and the nation’s infrastructures.

Domestically, hackers have become a real nuisance to many of us. Phishing and identity theft are common occurrences. However, law enforcement officials have made great strides in enhancing their computer skills, leading to numerous arrests for child pornography, fraud, and a variety of other illegal crimes.

Officials say the public needs to become more aware of the awesome potential of cyber warfare and alert to criminal activity taking place over the Internet.  Measures to maintain  privacy and security are critical for all computer users to learn in avoiding Internet abuses.