Early Edition – ICD Brief 95.

by ICD Posted on July 15, 2018

ICD Brief 95.

09.07.2018.-15.07.2018.

The week’s news is good and bad. Lots of encouraging updates on expanding public awareness, laws, industry alliances, integration and collaboration between nations, international organizations and public and private and sectors. Yet most of this activity is driven by a shared recognition of the gravity of the threat.

Today’s lead is yesterday’s US Justice Department announcement charging 12 Russian GRU intelligence officers of hacking the 2016 US presidential election. Here is ICD Co-Founder Richard Stiennon’s response to this news.

“The just returned indictment of 12 Russian GRU agents reveals the tremendous capabilities of the intelligence community to piece together cyber operations. This level of attribution puts the GRU on notice that their moves are being observed. For the Justice Department to show their hand to this extent implies that the Russian investigation is finally coming together.”

And speaking of context, be sure and read Jennifer Zhu Scott’s Bitcoins backstage meets global warning shared by Philippe Baumard.

 

US

America’s indictment of Russian hackers underlines the cyber risks facing US politics

MIT Review

“Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s charges against 12 members of Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency accused of hacking related to the 2016 US presidential election are a stark reminder of the ways in which technology can be used to disrupt democratic processes.”

Warning Lights Are Blinking Red,’ Top Intelligence Officer Says of Russian Attacks

Army Cyber Command brings on first direct-commissioned officers

“Army Cyber Command’s first cyber officers recruited through its pilot cyber direct commission program are ready for duty.

The cyber program was launched late last year to boost the service’s cyber force and attract talent from the commercial sector. Direct commissioning for candidates with high-demand skillsets has been used to attract physicians, attorneys and chaplains to military ranks.”

Patient Safety United Rival Medtech Firms 

“It’s great to hear about our Minnesota #medtech companies leading the way in collaborating to improve patient safety and #cybersecurity.”  Eileen Manning, CEO The second session is July 26.

National Information on US Secret Service Electronic Cyber Crime Task Forces

“The United States Secret Service is committed to safeguarding the nation’s critical infrastructure and financial payment systems from cyber criminals.

Bitcoin

Bitcoins backstage meets global warning – via Philippe Baumard

Jennifer Zhu Scott

“70% of Bitcoin mining is still in China. The recent flooding destroyed thousands of servers in Sichuan and caused a global hash rate drop. When vulnerability caused by factors as such, it’s logical and unexpected at the same time. #bitcoin #mining”

Brazil

Brazilian kids being schooled to fight fake news

“Brazil has taken a stand against the explosion of “fake news” stories swamping the Internet by making media analysis studies compulsory for schoolchildren.”

Canada

UPDATE – New Cyber Security Strategy Bolsters Cyber Safety, Innovation and Prosperity

“The Government of Canada is committed to defending Canada and Canadians against cyber threats. Today, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science & Economic Development delivered the National Cyber Security Strategy. This new strategy will guide the Government of Canada’s cyber security activities to safeguard Canadians’ digital privacy, security and economy.”

China

How Good Are China’s Cyber Defenses?

By Greg Austin East-West Institute

“With discussion at the recently concluded Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore heavily focused on the Korean summit and the U.S./China spat over the South China Sea, it would be easy to forget about China’s pursuit of the “commanding heights” of all strategic competition: outer space and cyberspace. However, while there can be no doubting China’s ambition in this area, one can make the argument that the country is, at present, far from those heights.”

 

Democratic Republic of Congo

“Agence Presse: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Jul 14 – The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is clamping down on online media in a declared campaign against fake news, hate speech and cyber-crime, a move that has stoked alarm as crucial elections loom.”

France

“Signed by the French President Emmanuel Macron and the Prime minister of the Republic of Singapore, Lee Hsien Loong.”

Greece

“Alexander Vinnik, a one-time admin of bitcoin platform BTC-e who was arrested in Greece last year on an international warrant for cybercrime, has been ordered by a Greek court to be extradited to France. The United States and Russia have also sought extraditions of Vinnik. Vinnik’s lawyer, Ilias Spyrliadis, said Vinnik is appealing the court’s decision, according to the Associated Press.”

Kenya

“The Africa Cyber Defence Summit, Africa’s largest cyber security gathering, [took] place in Nairobi at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre on July 9-10,2018. The platform is hosted by Kenya’s Ministry of ICT and co-organised by Naseba and Africa Cyberspace Network (A.C.N) with support from Kenya Airways, Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Communication Authority of Kenya and The Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis.”

United Nations

“United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres today announced the launch of a High-level Panel on Digital Cooperation.
‘The scale spread, and speed of change made possible by digital technologies is unprecedented, but the current means and levels of international cooperation are unequal to the challenge,’ Mr. Guterres said. Ms. Melinda Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Mr. Jack Ma, Executive Chairman of Alibaba Group, have been appointed by the UN Secretary-General as Co-Chairs of the Panel. “

UK

“The United Kingdom and France have agreed to work together more closely on technology, artificial intelligence and cyber security, announcing plans for a digital conference to promote deeper integration.
The UK invests more in technology than any other European country and was named the best-prepared country in the world for AI implementation in December by Oxford Insights.
France, meanwhile, is encouraging startups and entrepreneurship – recently repurposing a Paris railway station to host new businesses, multinationals and investors.”

Venezuela

“On 29 June 2018, the website of human rights organisation Transparencia Venezuela was the target of a fourth cyber attack in less than 12 months.”

Feature

“When traveling anywhere in the world, for business or pleasure, citizens need to be aware of and alert to looming physical and cybersecurity threats.
Chris Duvall, Senior Director at The Chertoff Group, offers insights into cybersecurity concerns, physical security precautions, and recommends digital resources/apps for consumers while traveling.”
Live Cyber Attack Map

 

 

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