Security Firm Symantec : An Evolving National Strategy

This report is prepared to assist the aircraft solutions (AS), a well-known company for equipment and component fabrication in Southern California, in identifying the most important security vulnerabilities. This report also discusses possible threats, the likelihood of the threats occurring

BLUF: MG Smith’s intent is to host Chris Roberts, a cybersecurity professional, to speak to leaders within the Alabama National Guard, as well as other state and civilian agencies. This presentation will focus on the threats we face in the cyber world today. MG Smith extended an invitation to Mr. Roberts as discussed in the background section of this paper. The date, location and audience are to be determined.

Malware, or “malicious software”, has taken different forms and names for years. Spyware and viruses are just a few of the common titles attributed to this devastating means of cyber attack, the main purpose of which is to ultimately compromise a rival's computer infrastructure. State-sponsored attacks have typically been perpetrated by means of malware. Spear-phishing is one particularly popular means of malware, where by a target is fooled into opening a corrupted email or file, only to unwittingly download a compromising piece of malware onto their computer (XX). Once this malware is installed, control of the computer is placed in the hands of the hacker, allowing them to hack other networks while proving impossible to track down (XX18). China has been a prime culprit for spear-phishing attacks, often following current events to target respective dignitaries. For instance, the 2010 G20 Summit saw thousands of spear-phishing campaigns against officials, with email titles labelled in relation to the Summit itself (XX). Countless departments, institutions, and governments have fallen victim to spear-phishing campaigns, at the count of millions of dollars and priceless information

The author of this response is asked to answer to a few questions relating to cyber-attacks at several different mission-critical or otherwise very sensitive agencies or companies in the area. The ramifications of each incident and who will be affected by the same will be discussed. The outcomes of each will also be mentioned. The author is also asked to identify the steps and recovery path for one of the incidents in particular

The availability of cheap cyber weapons has made cyber-terrorism a growing threat to the stability of America's critical infrastructures and society in general. Needless to say that cyber terrorism is a major issue for American policymakers and IT professionals. The growing threat to commercial and government entities has prompted organizations to develop effective strategies and methods to protect their resources and assets from the threat of attackers. Such strategies and methods include but are not limited to continual risk and vulnerability assessment, upgrade of software and use of tools such as encryption, firewalls and intrusion detection systems and the implementation of disaster recovery and business continuity plans in the case of a cyber incident. The following paper will offer a few basic definitions to illustrate the concept of cyber terrorism, discuss the physical and human aspects of cyber terrorism, offer assessment of the most pressing threats and the most vulnerable targets, recommend methods to combat national and international cyber terrorism. Finally, several preventative actions will be recommended for implementation. Finally, a basic checklist/template is also provided in order to better illustrate and summarize recommendations and suggestions.

Cyber-attacks are common in the defense industry, but in January 2010, a sophisticated, advanced persistent threat hacked into the commercial sector forever changing the face of cyber security. Dubbed “Operation Aurora” by McAfee, the attack targeted specific high profile corporations to obtain valuable intellectual property. Google, Yahoo, Juniper Networks and Adobe Systems were also among the victims of this highly coordinated cyber heist. By manipulating computer codes the attackers were able to exploit the Microsoft Internet Explorer vulnerabilities to gain access and obtain valuable sensitive information from over thirty high profile companies. Operation Aurora proves that the world is entering into a high-risk era where

Our program incorporates these security capabilities into a comprehensive, multi-layered defensive approach for ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the public’s sensitive personally identifiable information. As we continue to provide new opportunities for better customer service through new online services, we must remain vigilant in continuing to strengthen our cyber terrorism program capabilities. To that end, we proactively try to penetrate our own information systems daily to rigorous test and analyze any points of vulnerability. We continuously learn more about the ways hackers may try to gain access to our systems, and we continuously devise ways to stop them. Therefore, our cyber terrorism defense program will overpass the performance standards to remain strong, we will continue to evolve our cyber terrorist defense program to reflect changes in technology, changes to business processes, and changes in the complexity of internal or external threats. Continued investments in cyber terrorism projects and initiatives will ensure we have the resources needed to accomplish our agency’s mission and thus maintain public confidence in the agency’s ability to protect their

Every professional working in a security operations center understands that attacks are on the rise. Criminals who steal credit card numbers to resell on the dark web, hackers who launch ransomware attacks, industrial spies seeking to steal intellectual properties and state-sponsored hackers who seem to have diverse reasons for selecting their targets have all become much more adept at penetrating security measures. The financial cost of these breaches is shocking, according to the 2016 Data Breach Study conducted by IBM and the Ponemon Institute.

The attacks on critical infrastructure have become a growing cause of concern for governments and private providers’ internationally whether caused through cybercriminals pursuing financial gain or by hackers as political acts intended to emasculate governments’ and companies’ credibility. The anxiety around these threats is vindicated, as research exhibits that attacks on the critical infrastructure are greater than before in both complexity and prevalence and will endure to develop in the near future. The site management and monitoring have progressed for critical infrastructure facilities as they have become more increasingly connected to the internet. However, added convenience of connectivity has turned once limited attack surface of these industries into a fertile landscape for cyber-attacks. Due to the potentially high profile impacts of attacks on critical infrastructure systems, these industries have become even more attractive targets for cybercriminals (Cavelty, 2014).

Cyberterrorism, cyber campaigns, and cyber-warfare are all considered forms of cyber-attacks. Therefore, the spectrum of cyber-attacks will employ the gamut from computer viruses to data hacking targeting individual computers to organizations infrastructures and networks. These attacks have become more sophisticated and dangerous. McLaughlin (2011) Portends that international concern has intensified due to recent cyber-attacks. McLaughlin (2011), Stated that governments that known for being hostile could launch computer-based attacks on critical systems which are national and regional (McLaughlin, 2011). These systems include energy distribution, telecommunications, and financial services (McLaughlin, 2011).

The human and technological aspects of cyber threats changed dramatically in the past year. Witnessing new techniques blended with the old, resulting in highly evasive attacks. Recently we have seen big business, corporations,

Cyber threats have become more and more sophisticated, and have demonstrated that static security concepts are no longer adequate with today’s advanced and well-funded attackers. The increasing risk of espionage within the cyber domain has revealed that data is not protected. It has even become important for organizations to re-evaluate their methods in protecting their systems, and should urge the need for an additional ‘pre-emption’ phase for better prevention techniques, detection, and response (Fischer, 2014). There is not as much concern about the type of the security concept, but more about the policy in place that organizations choose to adopt in an effort to battle the threats. There is a gradual

The “International Security Threat Report” provides data on cybersecurity attacks and threats throughout 2012. The report shows that there was a 42% increase in targeted attacks (page 10). Although the types of attacks have been evolving, the number of people affected and the amount of damage has increased. Cyber attacks have evolved in such a way that allows them to be a large threat for citizens, businesses, and governments.

Cyber Attacks have forced industries to assess many areas of security as well as policies and procedures currently in place that protect sensitive information. Companies have lost billions of dollars as part these breaches, as they are forced to reimburse consumers for transactions and exposure of their identities. “A report by the

Cyber-attacks have become increasingly sophisticated and varied targeting various high profile multinational companies. The target until now has been financial information and other critical