The online threat is real. I know firsthand the extent of computers and networking, all lined to the World Wide Web, has on the infrastructure of this nation. Working on safety systems that people depend on that are coded is scary, to say the least. Soon, our cars will be networked and require the latest security patches to keep up with the trends. Groups like Anonymous, although best intentioned, could jeopardize lives.
With the increasing dependence on our LIVES, are we properly addressing the online threat? According to the article “The Online Threat,” security is a major growth industry … create what has become a military-cyber complex. The United States, along with companies like SAIC that are pushing cybersecurity, has developed a team ready for war. A quick search even reveals a Department of Homeland Security website for Computer Readiness with helpful information.
In the end, like any warfare, we have prepared, but not enough. Much more has to be done on the software design level to prevent attacks. Computer software should be tested and rated for security, eliminating many of the problems that we run into. The warfare needs to be shifted from reactive to proactive and make it harder to infiltrate in the first place.
Josh, your post seems to suggest that you would like to see expanded military defense control over certain aspects of the internet as a way of "preparing" for a global cyber-war. Using that as basis, I will offer this counter argument: While I agree that some cyber defenses should be in place to help prevent unwanted attacks on our nation's computer-related security measures, how would you defend unchecked military, or any other singular government agency like the Department of Homeland Security, access to "civilian computers in American homes” (Hersh) under the guise of "proactive" national security? Hersh also notes in his article "The Online Threat" that the former DHS director Rodney Beckstrom, resigned because he had reservations about letting a government agency have unchecked access to our nation's security monitoring. He states that "the threats to our Democratic processes are significant if all top level government network security monitoring are handled by any one organization." Even, when high end government officials are speaking out against increased and unchecked access to national security monitoring, do you think it should be allowed anyway?
ReplyDeleteOoh, there is NEVER a place for unchecked access to ANYTHING (Except your personal property...) I will never hint that. I am talking about protecting sensitive information from any people other than the rightful owners and managers.
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