Growing Risks of Cyber-Crime, Cyber-Terrorism and Cyber-Warfare

Risk Group Founder, Jayshree Pandya Ph. D discusses “Growing Risks of Cyber-Crime, Cyber-Terrorism and Cyber-Warfare” with James McFarlin, Author on Cyber-Security and Cyber-Warfare.   Introduction As Panama Papers begin to trigger mass protests, the biggest ever leak of “secret data information” is causing chills across nations! While the computer code, connected computers, information, communications and digitalization technology and internet have brought a positive impact on all aspects of nations: its government, industries, organizations (NGIOA), academia and human life, it has also brought new vulnerabilities to each and every component of a nation, our society and human life in cyberspace, geospace and space (CGS). In addition to the cyber-activism, cyber- crime and cyber-terrorism, there is a vicious power struggle raging on in the cyberspace. This new cyber battleground is full of unknowns, including major players, minor players, rules of war and reasons for war. In this cyber- battlefields, the war casualties have been quietly piling up. It seems every nation: its government, industries, organizations and academia (NGIOA) has been hit and is at a risk of being hit. No one is being spared, including common citizens. This cyber battleground brings each NGIOA, the good, the bad and the unknown. With the world getting immersed in rapid advances in artificial intelligence, information, communication and digitalization technology, the activities in cyberspace have become inseparable from activities in geospace and space. The blurring boundaries of cyberspace with geospace and space, has pushed each nation to a significant decision point today, as they must continue to defend their current systems and networks in the geospace and space, while simultaneously struggle, to get out in front of their challengers and competitors in the cyberspace. As computer code, connected computers and internet fundamentally transforms warfare between nations, the new reality of cybercrime, cyber terrorism and cyberwar is causing panic across NGIOA-I. So the question is how can any nation contain the threats posed by human and non-human intelligence, computer code, connected computers, information and communication technology and internet? Cyber-Activism, Cyber-Crimes, Cyber-Terrorism and Cyber Arms Race: Are We Prepared? When highly sophisticated computer programs have an ability to take over and even destroy the most sophisticated control systems that regulate everything across industries, the question rises to whether we or our nations are prepared for the on-going Cyber-Activism, Cyber Crimes, Cyber Terrorism and Cyber Arms Race that is rapidly growing around each and every NGIOA. The Growing Cyber Robin Hoods It seems there is a growing number of courageous people wanting to make a difference in the world (even if that means they have to go through some illegalities and put themselves at risk). As seen in many cases over last few years and the most current Panama Papers leak, there are courageous people uniting all across nations to address corruption and many other evils of the society. When so many people all across nations are getting involved in developing cyber capabilities for the greater good of the humanity, how will nations and its governance contain the cyber warfare that is being fought to end corruption and other evils? Cyber-Warfare and Nation- States It is reported that cyber-warfare has been discussed openly for many years and cyber-strikes have already been part of many nations military strategy.  It seems that it is only a matter of time that cyber warfare will escalate and destabilize global economy—or as some would say it is perhaps already destabilizing the global economy. Can nations risk that? As we face a chilling new reality of cyberwarfare between nation-states the concern is whether NGIOAs are prepared for it and how far it is g...