A Fine Line Between CyberCrime & War?
- By Grey McKenzie
- Published 01/2/2008
Grey McKenzie
National Cyber Security Founder
Cyber security watchdog & one of the nation's leading cyber security experts, Grey McKenzie is also the Founder of SpyCop Security Software.
His clients include members of the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, CIA, State & Local Law Enforcement.
He is regularly consulted by industry leaders regarding cyber security issues.
To schedule a procedural, technical and non-technical network security audit of your company call 902-467-0200
StrategyPage.com ran an article on the blurring line between criminal attacks and acts of war in cyberspace.
This article, like others, points out the problems and appears to want to label many attacks as acts of war or terrorism. The problem is real but answers are not simple. Cyber attacks are no different from physical attacks - what separates crime from terrorism or acts of war is not the medium or even the impact but the motivation, resources and organization behind the attack."In the computer age -- and 2008 is definitely in the computer age -- the difference between an act of war and crime is often a matter of interpretation as well as degree.
Attack a nation's highways and railroads, and you've attacked transportation infrastructure. You've also committed an obvious, recognized act of war.
An electronic attack doesn't leave craters or bleeding human casualties, at least not in the same overt sense of an assault with artillery and bombs. However, the economic costs can be much larger than a classic barrage or bombing campaign."
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