Cyber war and the threat of attack is an ever-growing concern on the minds of national security leaders and CEO’s of some of the nation’s most prominent firms. It has become one of the most hotly discussed topics in the news today.
Media sources and networks continue to highlight stories of the increasing threat of cyber war. The risk of cyber attacks is as much of a concern to national security and commercial interests as any other form of attack from enemies, foreign or domestic. For private sector companies, cyber attack can cause greater financial hardship than any physical break-in. For those in national security, cyber threats can have real-world security implications. Public-private sector partnerships are key to preparing and working towards a robust and viable defense against cyber war.
National, as well as international, corporations and businesses, such as Dell and Hewlett-Packard, have a stake in preparing themselves against a cyber-threat or attack.
According to Wikipedia– “Cyber warfare refers to politically motivated hacking to conduct sabotage and espionage. It is a form of information warfare sometimes seen as analogous to conventional warfare although this analogy is controversial for both its accuracy and its political motivation.”
Recently, NPR produced a story on firms that are working tirelessly to protect themselves and prepare for attacks on their networks.
The article highlighted the partnerships between chief executives in the private sector and defense industry leaders, dubbed the “Enduring Security Framework.”
“The initiative brings chief executives from top technology and defense companies to Washington, D.C., two or three times a year for classified briefings. The purpose is to share information about the latest developments in cyber warfare capabilities, highlighting the cyber weapons that could be used against the executives’ own companies.”
In May 2010, the Pentagon set up U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM), headed by General Keith B. Alexander, director of the National Security Agency (NSA), to defend American military networks and attack other countries’ systems.
Corporations and businesses will continue to partner and collaborate with Department of Defense, Homeland Security and other national intelligence agencies in an effort to work together to protect and defend against threat, loss, and destruction that is the result of a cyber-attack. With so much to lose, it is perhaps a good thing that the risk of cyber attack is keeping more executives up at night.
Diana M. Rodriguez is a native Washingtonian who currently works as a professional writer, blogger, social media expert, commentator, editor and public affairs practitioner. Diana previously worked as an editor and senior communications analyst for the Department of Defense.
