Cyberterrorism: The Bloodless War - WITSA

Cyberterrorism:The Bloodless War?Pat McgregorChief Information Security ArchitectIntel Corporation3 October 2001

The threat of terrorist attacks againstU.S. citizens and U.S. interests aroundthe world has become the nation’s mostpressing national security issue. …This aggression may include cyberattacks by the terrorists themselves orby targeted nation-states.3 October 2001 Cyberterrorism/P McGregor 2

Even more likely are cyber attacksby sympathizers of the terrorists,hackers with general anti-US oranti-allied sentiments, or thrillseekerswith no particularpolitical motivation.Cyber Attacks During the War on Terrorism:A Predictive AnalysisDartmouth Institute for Security Technology Studies3 October 2001 Cyberterrorism/P McGregor 3

What Do We Know?Cyber attacks immediately followphysical attacksCyber attacks are increasing in volume,sophistication, and coordinationCyber attackers are attracted to highvaluetargetsMany, if not most, targets wouldprobably be commercial computer andcommunications systems3 October 2001 Cyberterrorism/P McGregor 4

Cyberwar StrategiesThe basic elements are:• Hacking• Virus writing• Electronic snooping• Old-fashioned human spyingMass disruption can be unleashed overthe internet, butAttackers first must compromise privateand secure networks3 October 2001 Cyberterrorism/P McGregor 5

InfoWarriors are not Scrip KiddiesFunded by foreign military organizations andterrorist groups• Likely to have more people and deeper pocketsCan devote more resources – people andtime• They can crack systems that might withstandcasual assaultLikely to be more experienced• Will use more sophisticated tacticsSerious IW attackers would not reveal theiractivities until it is absolutely necessary3 October 2001 Cyberterrorism/P McGregor 6

Why Use Cyber Warfare?Low barriers to entry – laptops cost a lotless than tanksComplex societies are dependent oncomputers and networksComputer disruption has economic,logistical, and emotional effectParalysis caused by computer outageslevels the playing field for less-wellequippedcountries3 October 2001 Cyberterrorism/P McGregor 9

Questions?3 October 2001 Cyberterrorism/P McGregor 12

Thank you!Pat McGregorpat.mcgregor@intel.com+1 916 356 35583 October 2001 Cyberterrorism/P McGregor 13

Selected SourcesBerkowitz, Bruce, “Information Warfare: Time to Prepare.” Issues inScience and Technology, Winter, 2000.http://www.nap.edu/issues/17.2/berkowitz.htmGaudin, Sharon, “ Protecting a net in a time of terrorism”, NetworkWorld, 09/24/01. http://www.nwfusion.com/archive/2001/125631_09-24-2001.html“Cyber Attacks During the War on Terrorism:A Predictive Analysis.” Dartmouth Institute for Security TechnologyStudies.http://www.ists.dartmouth.edu/ISTS/counterterrorism/cyber_attacks.htmBickers, Charles, “Innovation, Cyberwar, Combat on The Web”. FarEastern Economic Review, August 16, 2001Risks Digest. http://catless.ncl.ac.uk/Risks3 October 2001 Cyberterrorism/P McGregor 14