Dual Use Technologies in Cyberspace?

An article titled ‘Anonymization Technology Takes a High Profile’, published in the November edition of Computer, produced by the IEEE Computer Society, examined the growth in the use of anonymization technology in cyberspace. There is a significant amount of debate surrounding anonymization technology, since it can be used to protect basic rights of digital citizens but can also be abused by criminal elements.

Anonymization technology is designed to…

Cyber Warfare, What Is It?

In a report recently published by McAfee, researchers examined the concept of cyber warfare, highlighting a number of nations are actively preparing for war in cyberspace.

As the United States and other nations think about cybersecurity, states will need to develop a common understanding of what constitutes cyber warfare.

Warfare, Clausewitz’s infamous “politics by other means,” is generally defined as a state actor using force against another state or…

Challenges of International Cybersecurity

International agreements form the foundation for international cooperation on a host of issues, from the proliferation of nuclear technologies, to chem/bio weapons, to terrorism, though no such foundations really exist for cybersecurity issues.

At a recent luncheon hosted by the World Affairs Council, Gen. Michael Hayden, former head of NSA and deputy director of national intelligence, Dr. Jim Lewis of CSIS and Dr. Jamie Saunders, counselor at the British Embassy…

China and Cyber Attacks – How Involved are They?

Most cybersecurity experts, in the private sector and in government throughout the United States, believe the Chinese are one of the largest practitioners of cyber attacks against U.S. networks.

The Chinese are accused of using cyberspace to conduct espionage and prepare for possible future conflicts with the United States

The Chinese government officially denies it is actively attempting to breach U.S. networks. According to the The Washington Post, Wang…

INSA Calls on Industry to Lead in Partnerships

A recent paper released by the Intelligence and National Security Alliance has called for industry to take the lead in partnerships for cybersecurity.

The report points to the central role that the private sector must play in cybersecurity, given the majority of the digital infrastructure is in the hands of the private sector.

The report examined present public-private partnerships and put forth several recommendations for effective partnerships for cybersecurity,…

Competing Proposals for Cyber Coordinator

Last Friday, Sen. Joe Lieberman, chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, outlined the key principles he hopes to include in legislation put forward with Susan Collins on cybersecurity, including a Senate-confirmed cyber coordinator positioned in the White House.

On Monday, Senator Susan Collins spoke before the Homeland Security Policy Institute at GWU and outlined her view that the cyber coordinator position should be…

Calls Increase for Cyber Coordinator

TechAmerica has joined in calling on the Obama administration to quickly appoint someone to the position of cyber coordinator.

The calls for someone to be appointed to the position have increased in the past month, with members of Congress joining the fray.

Phil Bond, the president of TechAmerica wrote an open letter to President Obama requesting his “attention to the appointment of a cybersecurity coordinator in the White House at the…

DHS Opens Cybersecurity Center

The Department of Homeland Security opened a new cybersecurity center today: The National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center, which will serve as a central warning center for cyber.

DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano said, “Consolidating our cyber and communications operations centers within the NCCIC will enhance our ability to effectively mitigate risks and respond to threats.”

The new facility will serve as an incident response center that can help to…

Cyber Terrorism Can Get You Life in Prison

Authorities in India recently passed an amendment to the Information Technology Act of 2008 which recognizes Internet criminal activity for the first time in India.

Individuals committing acts of “cyber terrorism” now face life in prison, if convicted.

The new amended version of the IT Act clarified the rules and procedures for monitoring, intercepting and decoding information and Internet traffic. The updated act also covers emerging crimes taking place…

GAO Questions DHS Commitment to Private IT Protection

The Government Accountability Office has questioned the Department of Homeland Security’s commitment to adequately protecting private IT critical infrastructure in a new report released Wednesday.

DHS officials strongly deny the accusation and maintain they are committed to working with the private sector to enhance national cybersecurity.

The GAO report claims certain DHS agencies have not updated their sector plans to encompass new DHS cybersecurity requirements. The GAO report claimed…