Crossroads Blog | Institute National Security and Counterterrorism

army, cyber attack, Cybersecurity, Cyberwar, North Korea

Cyber Round Up: U.S. May Have Thwarted N. Korean Missile Launch; Moving Beyond ‘Patch and Pray’; Army Reserves Focusing on Cyber Skills

  • North Korea’s unsuccessful missile launch ‘may have been thwarted by US cyber attack’ (Telegraph):  North Korea’s latest failed missile launch may have had some help from the United States, a recent article says. The report quotes a former British official as stating that there is “strong belief” that the United States interfered through cyber methods to cripple the test launch. The article discusses recent tensions with North Korea in depth, but notes that President Obama called for increased cyber capabilities to defend against missiles in 2014. The full article can be read here.

  • Moving Beyond ‘Patch and Pray’ Cybersecurity (WND):  One U.S. military agency may be paving the way for a fundamental shift in cyber security policy. A recent article says that the Defense Advanced Researchs Projects Agency (DARPA), which heads U.S. efforts to develop the most cutting edge technologies and weapons, has begun a new program. The old method involved simply hoping that we found our own vulnerabilities before our adversaries did and then eliminating those weaknesses.  These weaknesses are a result entirely due to software.  The new program focuses on eliminating vulnerabilities at the hardware level. The full report and description of the new program can be found here.
  • Army Taps Reservists With Cyber Skills to Fight IS Militants (Fortune):  It is no secret that the Islamic State has had great success to due to its online presence. According to a recent report, the U.S. Army is responding in kind and is relying on reservists with cyber expertise.  The article cites a conversation with one Major who remained nameless and his daily contribution to disrupting the Islamic State’s mission through cyber means.  The article explains that the Army needs more civilians with digital forensics, math crypto-analysis, and coding skills.  The full piece can be read here.

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