Experts predict major cyberattack coming
Corporate icons could be targets, and trillions of dollars worth of damage is possible
July 8, 2002 12:00 PM ETComputerworld -
A terrorist-sponsored cyberattack against major U.S. networks and businesses is no longer a question of if, but when and to what extent, according to former senior intelligence and security officials.
Although the laundry list of warnings surrounding possible attacks has left people confused about what to prepare for, many experts with firsthand experience in counterterrorism said plans should be put in place to respond to a conventional bombing or chemical attack against a prominent private U.S. company, which would be followed closely by a cyber- or physical attack against regional communications and power systems to hamper rescue and recovery efforts.
A former senior intelligence official said companies considered American icons, such as General Electric Co., General Motors Corp. or IBM, could find themselves under siege.
The ex-official, who requested anonymity, said it's urgent that secure communications channels be established between CEOs of large multinational companies and government agencies such as local FBI offices.
Despite reports that Osama bin Laden has ordered the direct targeting of U.S. economic symbols, there has been no evidence to suggest that traditional terrorist groups have abandoned bombs and guns for computers, said Eric Shaw, a former CIA profiler who now works at Stroz Associates LLC, a cybercrime consulting firm in New York.
Plot Against Microsoft?
Global corporations, especially ones with ties to India or Israel, are big targets, Shaw said. In fact, he added, shortly after Indian authorities apprehended an al-Qaeda operative who warned of the December 2001 attack against the Indian Parliament, the suspect reportedly confessed to having knowledge of an infiltration operation against Microsoft Corp.
Microsoft spokesman Matt Pilla said the company hasn't been contacted by Indian authorities. But based on an internal security review and the various claims made by the suspect, the company doesn't consider the threat to be credible. However, Pilla said, Microsoft has beefed up both network and physical security around its corporate offices in the wake of Sept. 11.
Microsoft likely wouldn't be the only company targeted by so-called hackers for hire, experts said.
There are thousands of hackers capable of causing significant regional disruptions of the telecommunications and power grids as a way to amplify the effects of a physical attack, according to Stuart McClure, president and chief technology officer of Mission Viejo, Calif.-based Foundstone Inc.
"It's also safe to say that they have the blueprints for the networks," he said.
Jim Williams, director of security solutions at Omaha-based security services company Solutionary Inc. and a former member of the FBI's San Francisco computer-intrusion squad, said the
Security
Additional Resources



Learn the important issues you must consider before starting your next mobility initiative. Get your mobility white paper from IDC now, compliments of Sybase.
White Papers & Webcasts
Share our Strength
Download Now
Lower the Cost and Complexity of a Mobile Workforce through Automation
Download This Resource Now!
Top 10 Things to Know about Data Protection
Download Now
Managing Mobility: Improve Data Security, Compliance and Manageability
Download This Resource Now!
Managing Secure File Transfer to Save Time, Money and IT Resources
Learn how companies are using innovative technology to overcome these challenges and improve user productivity by offloading e-mail attachments and replacing FTP with...
Ponemon Study: The Business Risk of a Lost Laptop
Download Now
Security Convergence Equals Network Security Cost Savings
Listen to IBM Internet Security Systems' take on network security convergence.
Airport Insecurity: The Case of Lost Laptops
Download Now
Disaster Recovery 2008: Reduced Costs and Improved Performance
How long can your Enterprise afford to be without your data? With an accelerated disaster recovery program, you never have to answer this...
