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Mock Cyber Attack Shows US Unpreparedness
An anonymous reader writes with word that the outcome of the large-scale cyberattack simulation promised a few days ago isn't too rosy. From the Help Net Security article: "During the simulated cyber attack that took place yesterday in Washington and was recorded by CNN, one thing became clear: the US are still not ready to deflect or mitigate such an attack to an extent that would not affect considerably the everyday life of its citizens. The ballroom of the Washington's Mandarin Oriental Hotel was for this event transformed into the White House Situation Room, complete with three video screens displaying maps of the country, simulated updates and broadcasts by 'GNN,' an imaginary television network 'covering'
the crisis."
Or maybe they're actually not prepared for a cyberattack?
Nono, the man is trying to stick it to us obviously.
Another reason to take more of our civil liberties in the name of 'national security'
Why not both?
There's a lot of things they aren't prepared for. They beef up airline security while neglecting the security of pipelines in Iraq and Iran. They worry about polution but don't stop the corporations from doing so.
I'm not saying that they aren't NOT prepared - just that this is going to be abused beyond all recognition. Like how they weren't prepared for a terrorist attack and now I can't bring more than a litre of liquids onto a plane. However - none of that stops guys from setting off bombs in their pants.
So when they launch a false flag attack on the internet in order to shut it down and censor it they can have a report and say, "See, we told you!"
If you have something that you dont want anyone to know, maybe you shouldnt be doing it in the first place -Eric Schmidt
Ugh. And Michael Hayden. Bush's chief wiretapper.
Please. These people are among the threats we need security from.
I can see the fnords!
Regarding a possible shutdown of the cell phone and Internet service to prevent a cascading effect, the group found out that federal agencies actually don't have the authority to do so, and that companies providing these services might be unwilling to do it when asked.
Another thing that might prove to be an issue is the Governors' reluctancy to put their power in the hands of the federal government, which would possibly lead to a nationalization of the National Guard.
Federal Times reports that "Attorney general" Gorelick mused on the idea of introducing laws that would allow the government to seize broader power for the time it takes to suppress a nation-wide cyber attack.
A simple two step plan for advancing authoritarianism:
1. Scare People
2. Seize More Power
What, precisely, would lead us to believe that the Federal government is sufficiently adept at cyber-security to improve upon the staged outcome of this theatrical "attack"? I want better cyber-security and think it is important, much like health care. I do not, however, believe that our government has the skills, the lack of corruption, the honor, or the honesty to do it well. Much like health care.
Tell me, fear-mongers, what you are going to do to solve the problem. Not just a thousand pages of blather within which to hide giveaways to key lobbying groups. Real solutions that the information science and economics communities can scrutinize. If you cannot provide that, you are just asking for power. You are taking liberty with a vapid hint that maybe it will help security. Nay, not even that -- you are taking liberty by shouting fire in a crowded theater.
Bullshit. Start by presenting the solution. Shove your fear-mongering up your ass.
And as for you CNN: You should be ashamed for being their puppet. Sacrificing your journalistic integrity at the alter of the exclusive. What will your pretty shock-graphic story title say? How about: "Cyberwar: Public at Peril"
Stop-Prism.org: Opt Out of Surveillance
"All warfare is based on deception."
-Sun Tzu
Go green: turn off your refrigerator.
> You are going to need security from the MS13 punk who lives down the street from you when the power grid has been down 1-2 days.
On August 14, 2003 the power grid was down for 1-2 days. I didn't see any punks looting or attacking. But my neighborhood did come out of their houses for once and everyone got to meet each other. The kids got to know each other and had a great time playing instead of hiding inside from the big bad world. We made lasting friends and the neighborhood has been better for it in the years since that.
Stop fear mongering.
- For the complete works of Shakespeare: cat
This was not a mock cyber attack, but in fact it was a media event hosted by the U.S. government.
Seriously, this is the prelude to new legislation that will in practice be used to justify terminating all kinds of service to clamp down on free speech, in the name of prevention of terrorism. And if you try to discuss it, you'll just lose your connection to the internet. When will we wake up and build a mesh network permitting an end-run around the Powers That Be?
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
Yeah, because we get SO much back from our investments in third world countries. Mostly it's "stop attacking your neighbors and we'll give you more food and money", neither of which gets where it's supposed to go because the rulers are pocketing it.
We certainly don't do it out of the goodness of our hearts.
Considering that we don't have to do it at all, don't look the gift horse in the mouth. And then let's talk about the billions in private charity in addition to the billions in taxpayer provided charity, all of which is "goodness of our hearts."
Holy bad analogies, batman!
I know slashdot loves bad analogies, but this you the cake. IT security is most certainly not an illusion. It is very real. With no IT security, an kid halfway around the world could steal your data and sabotage your business on a whim. With well-funded, well-implemented, and fully-staffed IT security programs, it would take a dedicated, big-budget espionage operation to ruin you. And even then, such things would likely be detected and contained.
If you call that difference illusionary, you've got vision problems.
A slashdotter who didn't build his own computer is like a Jedi who didn't build his own lightsaber.