Wave Systems Corp. (fka WAVXQ)

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Wave mention on BBC

Global cyber-crime, BBC File on 4 and the theft of our futures

September 26th, 2011 by Tim Greenhalgh

http://www.liberatemedia.com:80/blog/network-security-blog/global-cyber-crime-bbc-file-on-4-and-the-theft-of-our-futures/

BBC File on 4 just ran a brilliant programme on global cyber-crime and the theft of our futures.

This is just a quick follow-up on my last posts about network security. The meat is in the programme podcast, which is must-listen if you care about what’s happening in the global network security space.

The programme was chilling. There are a great many very intelligent people, servants of state and criminals both, who know how to penetrate every software defence we deploy to own, control, monitor and steal everything we do online.

William Hague, UK Foreign Secretary says in the excellent Radio 4 programme that there is an “alarming” rise in the levels of attacks by states on states, criminals on states, terrorists on states and organisations, and criminals on business and individuals.

Hague says: “There are a rapidly multiplying set of challenges in cyberspace on government and institutions.”

Coming from the laid-back manager of our foreign relations, that quiet statement should not be taken with a pinch of salt. This is very serious.

Hague: global, serious, persistent cyber-crime

Hague did say that the UK was at the forefront of the battle in cyberspace and that, at the national level, GCHQ was extremely effective.

But he warns: “This is so important in the national and economic sense.”

One example in the programme was the penetration and ownership of the Dalai Lama’s computer network. His Holiness is Head of State, an exile from his Tibetan land. Whoever broke into that network had the ability to steal everything of value, at every moment.

China’s circumspect response to the programme’s questions speaks volumes - but we cannot know which organisation was involved. State on state cyber espionage is a larger part of the problem. That is Realpolitik and we have to engage to attempt to find solutions.

The programme also showed how easy it is to break through defences and steal money, and Intellectual Property, from business and individuals.

Hague was right about the UK’s leading role in addressing these threats. There are three crucial network security events in London, UK this autumn. Ignore them at your peril: First, the RSA European Conference 11-13th October; second, the Trusted Computing Seminar hosted by client Wave Systems at the Royal Aeronautical Society on October 20 and third, the Cyber Security Summit on November 29th.

PS: Courtesy of "muenchen"