Tuesday, March 20, 2012

A Ring To Control Them All


U.S. accelerating cyberweapon research" by Ellen Nakashima. March 18. The Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-accelerating-cyberweapon-research/2012/03/13/gIQAMRGVLS_story.html?wpisrc=nl_headlines

[excerpted] "The Pentagon is accelerating efforts to develop a new generation of cyberweapons capable of disrupting enemy military networks even when those networks are not connected to the Internet, according to current and former U.S. officials...

Officials are researching cyberweapons that can target “offline” military systems in part by harnessing emerging technology that uses radio signals to insert computer coding into networks remotely..."

Majia here: Exactly what kind of emerging technology uses radio signals to "insert computer coding into networks remotely"?

Imagine a radiowave Stuxnet...

Imagine the horrors that could be unleashed by the capability to deliver hostile computer viruses remotely.

The article is rather "rah rah," but it does observe that use of a cyberweapon in war is limited by considerations. For example, a cyberweapon could disrupt power to hospitals (the example provided in the article).

Might a cyberweapon also be used to take out power to a nuclear power plant?

We know now that the Mark 1 reactors will suffer meltdowns in the event of a station blackout of 12 to 24 hours.

The arms race seems to have no end.

Once developed, cybertechnologies will proliferate. 

Once developed, cybertechnologies will be be used. 

Tools make demand on their users: remember the one ring that would control them all from the Lord of the Rings? The one ring was the ultimate source of power, until it destroyed its users...

Coincidentally, I find this headline at Yomiuri: 

New facility to test, certify cybersecurity / System will aim to protect infrastructure
http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120318002932.htm

[excerpted] "The economy ministry will establish the nation's first facility to check the cybersecurity of control systems used to manage such things as important infrastructure or production lines at chemical factories...

It will be modeled on a cyber-attack test bed set up by the U.S. Homeland Security Department and will conduct cyber-attack simulations for control systems, using computer viruses created by itself to test resistance against such attacks...

Recent cyber-attacks include one in Japan in which a semiconductor factory was forced to suspend operations after its control systems were infected with a virus, and one at a nuclear-related facility abroad that was forced to suspend operations."

Majia here: It reminds of me of Skynet, as well...

I suspect that there are many hidden facets to this unfolding story of the new master, cybertechnology weapon...








No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.