revise by following every instructions
jeprej
Akovarevised62.docxAkova 6
Kadyr Akova
Dr. Kelley
ENGL 1301
11/1/17
Cyber Security
Thesis Statement
The industry of information technology (IT) has evolved enormously for the past 5 decades. Subsequently, the exponential advancements in memory capacity and software processing power have facilitated the information technology application hardware and software to become more light and easier to navigate. The ICT technology is increasingly becoming integral and global to approximately all features that exist in contemporary society. The devices and components of ICT are in general autonomous. Hence, the disruptions of one sector may induce effects in several other segments. It turns out to be virtually impossible to eliminate the threat of cyber-attacks because of globalization and digitization effects on the world.
Background Information
Cyber security is a broad concept discussing efforts towards protecting programs, data, networks and information systems from cyber-related threats. Cyber security is a global issue affecting all sectors of the society, because these sectors are now connected to the internet. During the past years, policymakers and professionals have increasingly expressed their concerns regarding the cyber-attacks on ICT systems malicious unlawful and intentional attempts to gain access to the ICT applications with the aim of conducting disruption, damage, theft, besides alternate illegal actions. Clemmitt proposes that, “debates on Internet regulation are heating up as cyber companies gain clout in Washington and the Internet penetrates every area of life. Besides the fight over copyright enforcement, a battle is raging over government attempts to bar Internet-service providers (ISPs) from delivering some websites' content to customers more slowly than others,” (Clemmitt, Pr.9). Cyber-threat is an issue that modifies over time due to innovativeness, for instance, the 2012 DDoS attacks that stunned the Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Chase, and PNC involved several illegally acquired applications server that pinged these banks’ websites with forged traffic, escalating economic harm to the banks’ clients. These attacks were meant to deny customers access to their accounts resulting in the banks to lose funds from their business losses. Cyber security has a direct correlation to the issues of law and society.
The internet has brought about profound changes across the globe, but it has a dark criminal side that threatens to undermine the achievements of the digital age and the potential yet to be actualized. Therefore, there is a dire need for new criminal justice interventions to address this new threat to public safety. According to cyber-security illustrations by Marshall, “in addition to billions of dollars being stolen by cybercriminals, military secrets and critical civilian infrastructure — including utilities, transportation and finance — also are at risk. Indeed, attempted attacks on Pentagon computers alone number in the tens of thousands each year. The hackers range from international gangs to the agents of other countries. Lawmakers and cyber-security analysts agree the U.S. is woefully unprepared to deal with the challenge,” (“Cybersecurity”).
Cyber-Security Legislation Issues with Privacy Advocates
Legislations are often put to an end by privacy advocates with a healthy uncertainty towards government hidden motives. For instance, on 9th June, 2012, members of an anonymous “hackivist” group were protesting against the restrictive internet regulations in New Delhi, India. In addition, in the year 2011 Swedish government websites were facing major shutdowns as a result of malicious actions by controversial cyber activists who were protesting the possible extradition of Julian Asange, WikiLeaks founder. Considerable changes have been witnessed since the advent of internet; however, the utilization of the internet for criminality threatens to undermine the internet’s promise and achievements. At present, malicious thieves using computers can illegally obtain access into banks and get away with corporate trade secrets while operating in different continents. In the United States, hackers who oppose the nation’s cyber security policies can sabotage federal websites. Also, experts warn that a hostile nation can devastatingly destroy the U.S economy by stalling its operations through disrupting its transportation system or hacking its power grid system. Flamini quotes Pernetta suggesting that, “an aggressor nation or extremist group could use these kinds of cyber tools to gain control of critical switches,” “They could derail passenger trains …, contaminate the water supply in major cities or shut down the power grid across the country,”(“Improving Cyber-Security”) . Civil liberties also express concerns suggesting that the cyber security laws that the Obama administration were to implement should first convince them how the regulations could function effectively without compromising civil liberties’ operations with more vicious cyber-threats.
Hackers Masking Their Identity and Locations
Hackers spend a greater proportion of their time online; however, they are capable of concealing their operations without being caught, discovered, or apprehended. Hackers are well versed in the art of masking their identity and location, which makes the process of identifying and prosecuting exceedingly difficult. Proxy servers enable midsize organizations to shield their internal software systems. However, hackers can exploit an incorrectly designed system. Furthermore, hackers are able to disguise their activities on the internet and become invisible by obtaining test accounts and utilize them in navigating around the Internet. These complicated mechanism deployed by cyber-threats make it nearly impossible to detect system disruption.
Transnational Nature of Cyber-Attacks
At more technical and complicated levels, all information and data shared on the Internet are divided into distinct segments and channel through servers and routers located in all regions across the globe. Cybercrime extends beyond transnational and technical dimensions and usually incorporate felons who maliciously and intentionally fashion their motives and attacks to exploit potential weaknesses that exist within the cybercrime’s transnational nature. The exploited weaknesses include; the global pool of users and computers to exploit, or victimize through denial of access and service to personal information or applications. Secondly, the existing disparities among nations in terms of regulatory, policy, or legal cybercrime environments, in addition to the deficiency in high degree and effective international cooperation to guarantee deterring further disrupting acts of cybercrime.
Cyber criminals commit economic crimes then avoid sanctions across territorial jurisdictions that result to hammering of credibility with global partners. The American economy faces malicious attacks from cyber criminals who threaten to destruct the nation’s economy. For instance, Clemmitt cites that, “the growing number of foreign websites that offer counterfeit or stolen goods continues to threaten American technology, products and jobs,” said Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, chief sponsor of the House bill. “Congress cannot stand by and do nothing while some of America's most profitable and productive industries are under attack.” (“Internet Regulation”). Persecuting and prosecuting cybercrime practitioners and bring them to justice causes challenges to global criminal justice agencies due to the existence of territorial jurisdiction legislation and laws that hinder the processes. Cybercrime compromise national security due to augmented victimization from assaults committed in foreign territorial jurisdictions. Anonymity by the practitioners and the privacy protections pose challenges to the global law enforcement agencies in combating the crime as the conducts do not constitute a crime under different countries’ jurisdictional territorial laws.
In addition, cyber security is a collective societal responsibility since it depends on culture and individuals. Transparency becomes difficult to achieve in a more diverse culture. Openness and transparency are the most vital incidents that the society should adhere to in assisting the law enforcement in discovering malicious threats. Enhanced cooperation between global criminal justice agencies should be facilitated to allow extradition of offenders and introduction of cybercrime laws in countries to help mitigate the crime by facilitating apprehension therefore establishing justice to the victims and enabling the society to operate freely devoid of cybercrime concerns.
It is clear that cyber security is a global concern. As identified in this study, undesired societal impacts of cyber-crime introduce devastating economic damages to a society. Furthermore, as much as cyber-security policies exist, several privacy issues emerge that incline to prevent or stop the efforts and advances that legal bodies fighting against cybercrime present. However, due to technological advances, concerns pertaining to cybercrime will continue to emerge and modify into more technical mechanisms. Therefore, there is urgent need for transnational collaboration in the implementation of cyber-security policies where nations could share information and technology to facilitate the seizure and incarceration of cyber-crime lawbreakers.
Flamini, R. (2013). Improving cybersecurity. CQ Researcher, 23, 157-180.
Retrieved from http://library.cqpress.com/
Clemmitt, M. (2012). Internet regulation. CQ Researcher, 22, 325-348. Retrieved from
Marshall, P. (2010). Cybersecurity. CQ Researcher, 20, 169-192. Retrieved from
