The Growing Threat of Cyber Crime

Among the topics most discussed by Director of National Intelligence James Clapper during the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on ‘Current and Projected National Security Threat to the United States,” Clapper confessed that the U.S. economy is vulnerable to relatively unsophisticated cyber attacks. 

Yes, Iran is making progress toward developing nuclear weapons. Yes, Al Qaeda sympathizers are resurging across North Africa and the Middle East. But the danger of online attacks to the United States’ crucial infrastructure by enemy hackers is also a significant concern to the country’s security and even tops the other two considerable issues.

As a result, America’s intelligence agencies are reevaluating how they operate.“Threats are more diverse, interconnected and viral than at any time in history. Attacks, which might involve cyber and financial weapons, can be deniable and unattributable,” he says. 

“Foreign intelligence and security services have penetrated numerous computer networks of U.S. government, business, academic and private sector entities…. This is almost certainly allowing our adversaries to close the technological gap between our respective militaries, slowly neutralizing one of our key advantages in the international arena.”

Although his 34-page statement listed cyber-threats as first among global perils, he says the likelihood of a major computer-driven attack over the next two years is remote. Russia and China, the two most capable nations, “are unlikely to launch such a devastating attack against the United States outside of a military conflict or crisis that they believe threatens their vital interests.”

But he warns that “isolated state or non-state actors might deploy less sophisticated cyber-attacks as a form of retaliation or provocation. These less advanced but highly motivated actors could access some poorly protected U.S. networks that control core functions, such as power generation.”

It’s interesting to think about the 30 minute power outage at this year’s NFL Super Bowl and not at least consider that an enemy to the United States might have hacked into the online platform that supported the electrical system. 

Even if the attacks start small, the damage could spread because networks are so inter-connected.Cyber-espionage is rampant and growing. Business owners and companies loyal to the United States of America should seriously consider securing their online portals with SSL certificates, business verification tools and daily payment-card-industry compliant website and server security scans for vulnerabilities used by hackers unfriendly to the US to access personal 

and financial data.

http://www.blog.trust-guard.com