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CIA Considering Cyberwarfare

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the its-getting-closer dept.

An anonymouse reader wrote in to say "This story reveals that the CIA will consider the use of computers to conduct a cyberwar against Yugoslovian President Slobodan Milsoevic, in addition to more traditional ways to destabilize the Yugoslov government. " Information is warfare these days. Its kinda scary.

7 of 134 comments (clear)

  1. Information Age by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4

    What the US needs to consider is this:

    Premise: We are entering the information age. This means that information is power.
    Premise: To utilize information effectively, we need education.
    Conclusion: We need better education in order to succeed in the information age.

    So remind me, how much do we pay our teachers???

    How does this relate to cyber-warfare? Well, if all the tech jobs suck up our techs because there aren't enough of them due to poor education, then there aren't enough spooks (=information age soldier) to defend our country and our networks.

    -B

    1. Re:Information Age by clawson · · Score: 4

      Hmm... you *could* pay me enough to teach. But my price is probably too high.

      I'd have to be able to grant 'F's. I'd have to be able to not grant any 'A's if no one had earned them.

      I'd have to be able to kick Johnny out of my class.

      I'd have to be able to tell parents what my educational goals were, what I expected of them and their kid(s), etc.

      I'd have to have a school system that backed me up.

      Since the last demand is probably the one that could never be met (Oh, they'd SAY they'd back me up, but as soon as someone whispered, "he did that...yeah, THAT...to studentX", I'd be hanging in the wind)...

  2. Information is war? Of course it is by RomulusNR · · Score: 5
    When ever in the history of combat has information not been the key? I dare say spying was invented before weaponry. And the same for propaganda. Why is the use of electronic means for espionage, propaganda, and sabotage such a shock to the computing community -- one which is so rarely shocked by the developments of our age?

    As for the usefulness of electronic warfare against the Serbs (proud [now former] makers of the esteemed Yugo), I think you may be slightly underestimating the technology available to and in use by the Serb government and their media machine that rivals MSNBC in jingoism....
    though I agree its usefulness will be about the same as anything else we have done over there so far, which is to say not useful at all.

    But as for American vulnerability to cyber attacks, do you really think Americans wouldn't patiently dive into a dark period without technology? Seems to me that Europeans are generally less afraid of technology than Americans are. I think most Americans would see a major cyber-warfare hit as a pleasant "vacation from all this B.S. ...."

    Regards,

    --
    Terrorists can attack freedom, but only Congress can destroy it.
  3. More... by mattdm · · Score: 5
    More here. And probably at newsweek.com once the print edition goes online.

    The part I find disturbing is the bit about attacking Milosevic's foreign bank accounts. Which I assume is illegal in those countries. Way to set a good example, government. *sigh*


    --

  4. This wont work by Ignatius · · Score: 4

    I think that the US again makes their usual error of judging military options on the effect they would have on themselves instead of the enemy.

    While even a partial breakdown of the IT infrastrucure would have a devastating effect on a country like the US where you even pay your hambuger by creditcard and most economic transactions involve the exchange of information instead of actual goods, this clearly isn't the case with the more traditional economy of Yugoslavia.

    The same hold true for the strategic bombardments: The Americans never had war on their territory and therefor react very senitive to own miltary losses (remember the 3 three captured GIs), while Europe and esp. the Balkans have a long tradition of warfare and won't get demoralised so quickly by a high-tech air campaign.

    IMHO the NATO alliance would have done better in systematically arming and training the UCK (and maybe offering them tactical air support) than, after months of ineffective bombardments, being drawn into a guerilla war that they are unprepared and unwilling to deal with.

  5. Scary by apilosov · · Score: 4

    I consider this as scary fact. If US Government legitimizes 'hacking' as form of warfare, there will be nothing to stop any other country from doing it.

    For example, report talks about 'attacking Milosevic's bank accounts'. Presumably held in countries other than US, since in US, Clinton can order the funds frozen or seize them. Now, US is not at war with those third countries (most likely it will be Cyprus), but will be actively trying to rob those countries banks, while maintaining complete diplomatic relations.

    Consider following. Lybia trying to break into UK banks to steal money held by (whoever) in UK. It will now be perfectly legitimate to do that without declaration of war or anything. Scary thought.

  6. True Informational Warfare by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4

    Why exactly did sources within the CIA leak this to CNN? If this is supposed to be classified, why are elements within the CIA talking to a press organization that is closely watched around the world?

    Maybe this is just a feignt? It makes no sense to say hey Mr. Bad Guy better look out we are gonna hax0r j00r computers. I think this is more a leak just to frighten Milosovic and his government and force them to waste resources trying to defend their informational structure against a non-existent attack.

    The true story here is that CNN, Slashdot and others were the actual weapons here...spreading disinformation. We all know how powerful a weapon FUD is... This time its the CIA doing it instead of Microsoft.

    And if I'm wrong, there should be some people thrown into jail for compromising a classified operation during time of war.