The Independent, 6 Feb 10: Western governments are facing a potent and ill-understood new threat from terrorists and hostile powers in the shape of cyber warfare, military and security experts have warned. . . . US and British officials say what is at stake goes far beyond attempted state censorship, with military infrastructure and financial markets becoming vulnerable.
To overcome that risk, the Green Paper just published by the British Government has stated that part of the forthcoming Strategic Defence Review will focus on the risks posed by technology in enemy hands. At the moment, it is believed that insurgents with the right electronic capability could jam weapons systems and intercept classified communications during military missions.
“Cyber space, in particular, poses serious and complex challenges for UK security and for the armed forces’ operations… Cyber attacks are already an important element of the security environment and are growing in seriousness and frequency,” says the report. “The most sophisticated threat is from established and capable states but cyber eliminates the importance of distance, is low cost and anonymous in nature, making it an important domain not just for hostile states, but terrorists and criminals.” The result of losing a “technological edge”, said the Paper, would mean “operations would be more hazardous. Our casualty rates, in particular, could be expected to increase markedly.” . . . .
Adaptability and partnership: issues for the strategic defence review (UK Government, 3 Feb 10)
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