MCAFEE INC. WARNS OF THE NEW AGE OF CYBERWAR
The United States, Israel, France, China and Russia are Cyberarmed; Critical Infrastructure is at Risk, According to McAfee’s Fifth Annual Virtual Criminology Report
Mumbai, November 17, 2009: McAfee, Inc. (NYSE: MFE) today revealed that the global cyber arms race has moved from fiction to reality, according to its fifth annual Virtual Criminology Report. The report found that politically motivated cyber attacks have increased and five countries – the United States, Russia, France, Israel and China – are now armed with cyber weapons.
“McAfee began to warn of the global cyber arms race more than two
years ago, but now we’re seeing increasing evidence that it’s become real,” said Dave DeWalt, McAfee president and CEO. “Now several nations around the world are actively engaged in cyberwar-like preparations and attacks. Today, the weapons are not nuclear, but virtual, and everyone must adapt to these threats.”
The Virtual Criminology Report includes insights from more than two dozen of the world’s leading experts in international relations, including Dr. Jamie Saunders, counselor at the British Embassy in Washington D.C. and security experts with experience at the U.S. National Security Agency and the Australian Attorney-General’s Department. Former White House advisor Paul Kurtz compiled the report on McAfee’s behalf.
The report for the first time provides a model to define cyberwar,
identifies the countries involved in developing cyber offenses and
cyber defenses, dissects examples of politically-motivated cyber attacks and reveals how the private sector will get caught in the crossfire. Government disclosure is also a major issue, as cyber initiatives and information are often classified by the government, hindering cyber crime defense in the public and private sector.
Experts call for a clear definition and an open debate on cyberwarfare.
Without an open discussion among the government, private sector and the public, future cyber attacks targeting critical infrastructure could be
devastating.
This year’s report identifies the following challenges:
- Cyberwarfare is a Reality –Over the past year, the increase in politically motivated cyber attacks has raised alarm and caution, with targets including the White House, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service and Department of Defense in the U.S. alone. Nation-states are actively developing cyberwarfare capabilities and involved in the cyber arms race,
targeting government networks and critical infrastructures. The result of a cyber attack of this nature can result in physical damage and death –it’s not just a war between computers, cyberwarfare can cause real devastation.
- Cyber weapons Are Targeting Critical Infrastructure – Attackers are not only building their cyber defenses, but cyber offenses, targeting infrastructure such as power grids, transportation, telecommunication, finance and water supplies, because damage can be done quickly and with little effort. In most developed countries, critical infrastructure is connected to the Internet and lacks proper security functions, leaving these installations vulnerable to attacks. Without the appropriate protection
combined with the current lack of preparedness, an attack on these infrastructures would be detrimental and will cause more destruction than any previous attacks.
- Cyberwar is Undefined – Cyberwarfare entangles so many different actors in so many different ways that the rules of engagement are not clearly defined. Additionally, there is debate on how much responsibility should be placed on
organizations to protect and educate the public on preventing cyber attacks. Without a proper definition in place, it is nearly impossible to determine when a political response or threat of military action is warranted.
- Private Sector is the Most at Risk – Critical infrastructure is
privately-owned in many developed countries, making it a huge target for cyberwarfare. The private sector relies heavily on the government to prevent cyber attacks. If virtual shooting starts, governments, corporations and private citizens may get caught in the crossfire. Without insight into the government’s cyber defense strategy, the private sector is not able to be proactive and take the proper precautions. Experts call for a public discussion on cyberwarfare, bringing it out of the shadows.
- “Over the next 20 to 30 years, cyber attacks will increasingly become a component of war,” William Crowell, a former Deputy Director of the U.S. National Security Agency, is quoted as saying in the Virtual Criminology Report. “What I can’t foresee is whether networks will be so pervasive and unprotected that cyber war operations will stand alone.
To learn more about the research findings and opinions, please visit the McAfee Security Insights blog at http://siblog.mcafee.com/
About McAfee, Inc.
McAfee, Inc., headquartered in Santa Clara, California, is the world’s
largest dedicated security technology company. McAfee is committed to relentlessly tackling the world’s toughest security challenges. The company delivers proactive and proven solutions and services that help secure systems and networks around the world, allowing users to safely connect to the Internet, browse and shop the web more securely. Backed by an award-winning research team, McAfee creates innovative products that empower home users, businesses, the public sector and service providers by enabling them to prove compliance with regulations, protect data, prevent disruptions, identify vulnerabilities, and continuously monitor and improve their security. http://www.mcafee.com
NOTE: McAfee and the McAfee M-Shield are registered trademarks or trademarks of McAfee, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries. Other marks may be claimed as the property of others. C 2009
McAfee, Inc. All rights reserved.
Contact:
Aceeyana Fernandes
+91 9324272174
aceeyana@the-practice.net
Rashi Gupta
+ 91 9320827625
rashi@the-practice.net
Email dated November 17, 2009 from Mr. Pradeep Gupta.
Go Top
The importance of private security agencies in dealing with terrorism. By:- R.K.Agnihotri
The terrorist organization aim at disrupting the normal life of the country by attacking important institutions and establishment the attack on the parliament of India is a glaring example of this the terrorist again perpetrated an equally dastardly act by attacking the prominent hotels of Mumbai.
All these places were being guarded by the government security agencies in the case of the parliament and by private security agencies in the case of the Mumbai establishments.
If we take into account the failure of the defensive measures in the case of the Mumbai institutions like the Taj Mahal Hotel and Oberoi Hotel. It will be realized that the security of services in the hotel capitulated totally in the face of an attack by only ten armed intruders. These agencies were not able to offer resistance till such time as the police forces could have come to their backup.
The budget of the security section of the large establishments should be adequate to create a formidable defense force proportionate to the value of the property to be guarded. Besides resistance by the security personal their should be effective measures to deal with such attacks by chemical and mechanical means. It should be planned that certain areas of the hotels can be isolated by “iron curtains” which drop down from the roof to act as a barrier to entry their should be bulbs of tear smoke which can be bursted by operating a switch from a central control room such Tears smoke will immobilized the intruding the terrorist for a considerable period during which the armed security forces can over power them. It may be recalled that Tear smoke started with Banks in the United States. During the days of Wild-West in America, Banks use to be raided by robbers. To prevent the loss, Tear smoke bulbs were fitted in the strong rooms where the cash chests were kept. The Manager of the Bank had only to press a button to explode the Tear smoke bulb, the effect of which was that the raiders were totally immobilized and cash chest was safe. Tear smoke compels its victim to throw away the weapons etc which he is holding in his hand and to rub his eyes. There is no permanent injury to its victim but the purpose of the terrorist from proceedings with his violent activity is achieved. Private security agencies should acquire the Tear smoke as preventive weapons for ensuring effective security.
The private security agencies should aim at becoming a bulwark against the terrorist. They should be so competent to hold on the terrorist till such time as the regular police and other security forces arrive they should be trained to be vigilant against the placing of bombs and other explosive material in the premises guarded by them.
Vigilance is called for the detection of intending terrorists. It is surmised that some terrorist had come and occupied rooms in the Taj Mahal Hotel before the violent attack was launched. The activities of such undesirable guests should have aroused the suspicion of the hotel security. Advance precautions are prime responsibility of the private security agency.
Groups of private security personnel may be put through a course to sensitize them in the special techniques of dealing with terrorism. Such forces will act as a line of second defense against the terrorist. These personnel are in the four front in tackling any terrorist activity. Their vigilance can prevent future damages of grave nature. When properly trained they can take on the terrorist who normally come in small numbers but are well trained to cause serious damage in surprise attacks.
Our country has a large force of private personnel performing almost the same job which is ultimately done by the government agencies like the police, and the army. Full use of such a well paid well trained force should be made by our country. It is therefore necessary that these agencies are always reckoned as the first line of security measures against terrorism.
The Industrial Security Force (ISF) should have a wing which will deal with organizing and training the private security agencies. The registration of these forces should be the source from which the Industrial Security Force derive its data. This force should have a wing which should treat the private security agencies as their Auxiliary force. The periodical training courses of the agencies should be the responsibility of the industrial security force. This will in able the nation to have a strong defense mechanism against terrorist activities.
R.K AGNIHOTRI D.G.POLICE(RETD.)
E8/30,BASANT KUNJ,ARERA COLONY BHOPAL.462039
INDIA
TEL +91 755 2563544,4271964
MOB: +91 9303138353
Email dated Novemebr 13, 2009 from Mr. Ramesh Agnihotri.
Go Top
|
