Are You Prepared for Cyber Armageddon
Former Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano recently warned that a major cyber-attack which affects America's infrastructure (Power Grid, Internet/Communications, Stock Market) is forthcoming. Banks in the UK were recently warned by the Financial Policy Committee that the financial sector is particularly at risk to a cyber attack.
In 2007, the world witnessed a cyber-attack on the country of Estonia’s critical infrastructure, which caused civil unrest and nearly caused the collapse of the small nation’s government. In 2009, it was discovered that nefarious individuals had been infiltrating the U.S. power grid and leaving behind “Logic Bombs” (Pieces of computer code specifically designed to execute malicious actions). Other notable cyber-attacks include an attack where 15% of all internet traffic was rerouted through China for 18 minutes in 2010, and several cyber-attacks on global stock exchanges in July of 2013.
The possibility of a major and debilitating cyber-attack against a country’s critical infrastructure appears to be on the horizon. From a corporate perspective, diverse and geographically separated data and operations centers help to reduce such risk, but employees and their families may be less prepared.
As you are reading this article, ask yourself how prepared you and your family is prepared to deal with such a disaster.
How prepared are you for a world without power, bank ATMS, cellphones, the subway or tube, or even the internet for several days or weeks? Such an attack as the one Ms. Napolitano is referring to could affect large portions of a country, surpassing the after effects seen in Katrina or most recently Hurricane Sandy.
Here is a list from www.ready.gov, of what can you do to prepare for such an attack:
Even if a cyber-attack never happens, it is still good to be prepared and these tips can be useful in any disaster.
In 2007, the world witnessed a cyber-attack on the country of Estonia’s critical infrastructure, which caused civil unrest and nearly caused the collapse of the small nation’s government. In 2009, it was discovered that nefarious individuals had been infiltrating the U.S. power grid and leaving behind “Logic Bombs” (Pieces of computer code specifically designed to execute malicious actions). Other notable cyber-attacks include an attack where 15% of all internet traffic was rerouted through China for 18 minutes in 2010, and several cyber-attacks on global stock exchanges in July of 2013.
The possibility of a major and debilitating cyber-attack against a country’s critical infrastructure appears to be on the horizon. From a corporate perspective, diverse and geographically separated data and operations centers help to reduce such risk, but employees and their families may be less prepared.
As you are reading this article, ask yourself how prepared you and your family is prepared to deal with such a disaster.
How prepared are you for a world without power, bank ATMS, cellphones, the subway or tube, or even the internet for several days or weeks? Such an attack as the one Ms. Napolitano is referring to could affect large portions of a country, surpassing the after effects seen in Katrina or most recently Hurricane Sandy.
Here is a list from www.ready.gov, of what can you do to prepare for such an attack:
- Create an emergency kit that has important medicine/first aid materials, batteries, a small battery operated radio, flashlights, candles, matches, water purification tablets, food/water, and cash.
- Have offline backups of your critical data and photos (I.E. Portable hard drives, or hardcopies).
- Purchase an electric generator, but keep in mind that fuel may be difficult to find if electric pumps are unavailable.
- Identify a meeting spot for your family who may be at work or school or an alternative form of communication (such as text if available or two-way radios) for remote relatives.
- Prepare alternative sources to stay warm in the winter or cool in the summer. (Don’t forget to wrap your water pipes in the winter).
- Europeans can learn about EU commission specific strategies here.
Even if a cyber-attack never happens, it is still good to be prepared and these tips can be useful in any disaster.
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