Since 1991, proponents of greater cybersecurity have warned of an impending "cyber Pearl Harbor"--or sometimes its sibling, the cyber 9/11--to motivate a response to the cyber threats facing the United States. For years, I have been a critic of such cyber-doom rhetoric, arguing that it is a potentially dangerous distraction from the real threats that we face. In 2016, I was … [Read more...] about Does 2016 Mark the End of Cyber Pearl Harbor Hysteria?
Rapid Reaction
Is There Evidence of an ISIS Chemical Drones Attack Plot?
Authorities in the UK are worried that ISIS might be plotting to use drones to carry out a chemical or "dirty bomb" attack: Law enforcement agencies believe hardened Isis recruits are planning to import terrorist tactics perfected on the battlefields of the Middle East, including the deployment of chlorine and mustard gas, to the UK. The discovery last month of a secret Isis … [Read more...] about Is There Evidence of an ISIS Chemical Drones Attack Plot?
Cyber Doom is Still the Wrong Rallying Cry for Better Cybersecurity
A recent piece in Fortune exhorts us to act now to improve cybersecurity because cyber doom is coming if we don't. "Cyber" could be as bad or worse than 9/11, Pearl Harbor, or even nukes! With senior defense officials raising alarms about the potential for a “Cyber 9/11†or a “Cyber Pearl Harbor,†however, there is an opportunity to take decisive action now on the … [Read more...] about Cyber Doom is Still the Wrong Rallying Cry for Better Cybersecurity
Technologists and Security Experts Warn of Trump’s Cybersecurity Plans
Technologists and security experts have been warning recently about the potential danger's of President-Elect Donald Trump's plans for cybersecurity. A recent survey by the Christian Science Monitor of "160 current and former government and intelligence officials, and leaders from the private sector and advocacy community" showed that 75% said "they do not believe … [Read more...] about Technologists and Security Experts Warn of Trump’s Cybersecurity Plans
Saudi Arabia Hit with Shamoon Cyber Attack…Again
There are reports this week that Saudia Arabia has been hit again with the Shamoon malware used in a cyber attack on its oil industry in 2012. Symantec researchers said the latest variant remains largely unchanged from the previous version which was designed to clear the master boot records and replace them of an image with a burning U.S. flag, according to a Nov. 30 blog … [Read more...] about Saudi Arabia Hit with Shamoon Cyber Attack…Again