Cyber Warriors Crucial To Face The Challenges Of Cyber Warfare

By Author: Peter Martin
Total Articles: 211
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Over the last decade, the world has benefitted immensely from Internet technology. Today, banking transactions, delivery of utility services, governance, electronic media, airline navigation, stock exchanges, telecommunications, businesses, customer services and education, all are dependent on Internet. Internet has interconnected people and businesses worldwide in an unparalleled way.

On the flipside, Internet has also provided the breeding ground for crime. Internet has also provided a convenient and easy platform for criminals to perpetuate crime. Offenders may target computer systems, websites and networks worldwide from any part of the world. Cybercriminals are always exploring possibilities to identify and exploit vulnerabilities on websites and computers. The innovative technology has led to creation of e-records and information databases. The loads of information available on the Internet have provided countries another platform to demonstrate their supremacy by indulging in information warfare.

Repeated attacks on government, defense and military websites have made governments to create cyber commands. ...
... U.S has already established a cyber command after a series of cyber-attacks on Pentagon and other government websites. Many countries have blamed China for series of attacks on key government and defense websites. China is reported to have developed a robust information warfare strategy. Iran's nuclear ambitions hit a roadblock, when the countries facilities were attacked through sophisticated Stuxnet worm. Cyber space is now also used by hacktivists and other rebel groups to bring attention to their view point through hacking and website defacement. Regular in-depth evaluation of the security perimeter and adherence to security fundamentals is crucial to secure the IT infrastructure.

Therefore, countries require a strong force of cyber warriors such as system administrators, network administrators, security auditors, intrusion analysts, computer forensics experts, software developers and information security managers to deal with the current and future challenges in the cyberspace. China is known to be building a cyber army. A few months back, a U.S report indicated a shortage of at least 20,000 cyber experts. The country has since than organized competitions to shortlist potential cyber warriors. The first Cyber training school has been established at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi with the mission to train the forces on computer network security and operate various electronic systems. The school has an initial investment of $11 million for the training program. Online training programs may also help employees in government departments to adopt safe Internet practices. U.K has also initiated competitions at various levels to identify potential cyber experts.

Computer security awareness education in schools and Universities may encourage young students to take up IT as their career and contribute to the future requirements of cyber warriors.