The cyber attacks of recent years have been relatively unsophisticated and inexpensive compared to the potential of organized attacks... Organized attacks by teams of hackers... could have a huge impact on a nation's economy... We will probably see terrorist groups, criminal organizations putting together combinations of talent...
Wow. Does anybody have a straight razor or some sleeping pills? What a bummer. What kills me about this is that he's not wrong; I hate FUD (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt) and I particularly hate FUD in the media. However, Scott has a point, and thinking it over, I think it's good "due diligence" for the DHS to listen to what he has to say. Not that I'd want to share a cab ride with the guy.
Any security practitioner worth his/her salt knows the traditional wisdom that most threats come from the inside. I've worked in financial services, so I'm pretty well versed in how security in that sector goes down (i.e. it's just like everywhere else.) So, I think it's not out of line for someone like Scott "resistance is futile" Borg to point out that if baddies could coordinate an attack with collusion from the inside - that they could do some serious damage. It's not necessarily a new idea (it was, after all, a plot point in the movie "Fight Club"), but somehow Scott puts some super-depressing English on it that really makes it slam home.
Posted by Ed at December 1, 2005 08:30 AM