Time to Play Catch-Up

Geers, Kenneth. “The Cyber Threat to National Critical Infrastructures: Beyond Theory.” Information Security Journal: A Global Perspective; Jan2009, 1-7. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 20 April, 2011.

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“The balance of power in cyberspace seems to be favoring the attackers” is a quote that seems to tell the whole story of Kenneth Geers article. Hackers have more paths into your network than administrators know how to protect, or even know of in general. Geers article is yet another call for attention on the matter of cyber espionage, terrorism, and even warfare. His point of view that he attempts to convey is one of fear. Cyber space is different from the real world in terms that attackers can retain a high level of anonymity while doing great damage. Anything from simple viruses that take a computer down, to a complex one that could shut down a power plant resulting in blackouts for that particular region of the country is possible. With the updating of technology these threats become more real and faster approaching. Geers just wants to make sure that everyone understands that the skilled “bad guys” are in the lead. They have more tactics to create problems than administrators know how to prevent. Granted, the systems that require the most protection by our government are run by many systems. Our power grid for instance seems to be very secure. However, with that being said, Geers adds that what government officials think is “secure” and what is actually secure may be two different things. Hackers have technology that the people trying to stop them don’t have, otherwise they would stop them.

This article relates directly to the research question and after reading it, the audience can look at the research question from a perspective of urgency. This sense of urgency, not to be confused with fear, helps the audience to really think about the issue and choose what they think that they would rather have the most. Geer doesn’t mention anything about a reduction in privacy, because although it is privilege Americans have come to see as a necessity, it is not a stated right. Also, when it comes to matters as serious as national security, the only thing Americans should worry about is their safety. This article also helps the audience to answer the research question because it allows them to understand that cyber threats on the nation can come from within America’s borders or outside of them. The article certainly calls for attention on the issue, but as far as the research question goes it basically answers it with no doubt. Protection from cyber threats is very important and whatever it takes for the government to catch up with the criminal hackers in cyberspace must be done, at any cost.