Cyber Warfare: How Will it Impact America's Security?

Cyber Warfare is a new terrorism trend in the world. Most countries depend heavily on computers to run daily operations government, banks, power plants, transportation systems, businesses, and the industry of Wall Street. If computer systems are attacked it could shut down normal life in America and throughout the world.

Newsweek reports that in Britain there are about 1,000 cyber attacks per month, and that cyber warfare is now the main threat to the country according to the National Security Council. Cyber attacks are problematic for all countries, including America.

With security flaws constantly being found on Facebook and Twitter, companies that can afford to have the best technology security, it is clear that technology is not always safe or secure. And government computer systems tend to be outdated and poorly run.

For example, a soldier was able to download thousands of secret documents from the government and allegedly pass them along to Wikileaks. How could that happen in today's world of high technology? This incident seems a strong warning that the government is not prepared to respond to a major cyber attack from outside or inside of our country.

Countries such as Russia, China, Iran and Israel are said to be actively working to use cyber attacks to gain power. Russia has already used a cyber attack on the Georgian government and major aspects of that country's society such as banking, the media and transportation, notes CNN.

Failed Technology on 9/11

On 9/11 there were many reports that the technology failed in many ways. The communications between fire fighters in the World Trade Center and helicopters and command posts broke down due to faulty technology that did not work. ZD Net reported that at five years after 9/11, "the FBI is still struggling with computer systems that are at least half a decade out of date."

In 2009, Robert Gates, Defense Secretary, ordered the establishment of a new cyber command defense system to protect the computers of the military, develop ways to halt use of cyber weapons against America, and also to keep all computer systems in the country protected, notes the Washington Post.

Online Terrorism Websites

There are many pro-terrorism sites online, such as that of "Inspire" the new online magazine created by al Qaeda. The government is likely tracking who visits the sites to get information about possible participants in cyber warfare plots. Some websites are taken down but new ones are always springing up. The Internet facilitates terrorism and allows groups like al Qaeda to reach out and get new recruits for their plots.

And as long as America has soldiers in the Middle East and supports Israel we are in danger of attack by terrorists. It is going on ten years since the attacks of 9/11. And Osama bin Laden is still a free man and is still making threats against America.

Cyber warfare is a serious concern for our country. As technology advances terrorists are likely developing ever more evil and ingenious ways to attack us. America needs to step back from wars that are accomplishing nothing and focus on developing strong strategies to prevent cyber attacks. The war of the future may well be online. And it may occur as unexpectedly as 9/11 did.

What would happen in America if suddenly the entire Internet was shut down? Businesses would not be able to function. Banks would not be able to distribute cash. Power plants would shut down. It would be catastrophic and very few people are prepared to handle that dire scenario.

Updates to Keep America Safe

DOD Buzz reports that now Department of Homeland security cyber attack experts will now be stationed at the National Security Agency. Also, the government is planning a "self-contained mini-Internets for critical infrastructure such as electrical grids, nuclear plants, water and sewer plants...The domain name for this new development will be dotsecure."

It is difficult to imagine what the response would be if America came under a serious cyber attack. Would the cause a declaration of war against the country that launched the attack?

Sources:

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/10/20/britain-s-biggest-security-threat.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/23/AR2009062303492.html

http://www.dodbuzz.com/2010/10/20/new-cyber-strategy-out-soon/

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/03/19/politics/washingtonpost/main6313925.shtml

http://articles.cnn.com/2008-08-18/tech/cyber.warfare_1_hackers-internet-assault-web-sites?_s=PM:TECH

http://www.zdnet.com/news/post-911-antiterror-technology-a-report-card/149454

http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=30022

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/world/2001/war_on_terror/default.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4034833.stm