Probably everyone who watched the recent 60 Minutes story entitled “Cyber War: Sabotaging the System” was not surprised by any aspect of the story. The report is old news, but unsettling particularly following President Obama’s presentation of his “Cyber Policy Review.” The White House vowed to take the lead in protecting the US. However apparently no one will take the new job of Cyber Czar. Senator Susan Collins recommends that the Cyber Czar be at the Department of Homeland Security rather than the White House where she speculates that the Cyber Czar would be ineffective.

Alarming Headline: Eight indicted for $9 million hack

No one is really surprised by this recent headline that 8 individuals (at least three of whom were in Estonia, Russia, and Moldova) were indicted in a $9 million hack within 12 hours after breaking into a computer network operated by credit-card processing vendor RBS WorldPlay. Allegedly counterfeit debit “cards were used to withdraw more than $9 million from more than 2,100 ATMs in about 280 cities worldwide, including cities in the U.S., Russia, Ukraine, Estonia, Italy, Hong Kong, Japan and Canada.”

Daily Computer and Internet Threats

In the meantime headline after headline show how vulnerable our computer networks and the Internet are, but to add more complications the federal government also has budget restraints. Clearly we have to improve the protection our financial and defense systems. Without question the public deserves better than what’s going on now. Something has to change otherwise everyone is at risk. However just appointing a person as Cyber Czar is not enough, as it will take commitments from governments around the world. Computer and Internet crime is not new, but it’s time to get control over it because it seems we are more vulnerable than ever!

 

 

 

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