Networks A Mixed Blessing

Many years ago at the dawn of what we now call the digital age, Thomas Watson, then CEO of IBM, was alleged to have opined, “I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” While this was a misquote of a very shrewd business leader, the substance of this observation is not too far off the mark. More and more computers and other digital devices need to be interconnected in order to provide all the services now available at home, at work or on the road. The need for processing power built into the individual devices, be it a netbook, a smart phone or an iPad, is lessening as all of these devices are now interconnected via networks and the Internet. Indeed there are relatively few large super computers serving up information and services. The power of the internet is in the connectivity.

While this “distributed power” of networks and the Internet is a enabler of our world economy and our modern lifestyle, it is also our “Achilles Heal.” In his new book, Cyber War, Richard Clarke warns that warfare in the future will not be fought with bombs, guns or even unmanned aircraft. Rather, he notes, our foes are building new forces and weapons aimed at our computer networks. This cyber-arms build up is largely unnoticed by the public. Nevertheless, it is posing a danger of premeditated or accidental cyberwar, which in turn could trigger violent conflicts across the globe.

In conflicts of the past, warring armies concentrated on destroying bridges, rail lines, and highways as they were all needed for a country to carry on day to day commerce. Today with almost all of our daily routines dependent on computer networks and the Internet, the target of our foes has changed. The systems controlling the phone calls we make, the electricity flowing into our homes, the money from the ATM, and even the water used to brush our teeth in the morning, all rely on computer networks. This is the new ground zero.

Few of us using home or office computers have been spared the irritation and inconvenience of viruses. Even with software to detect them, some continue to get through wreaking havoc on our personal data. While this is a hassle, it pales in comparison to the results of a failure in one or more of these national and international networks. Clarke points out that the military has in place isolated networks protected from outside attack. That is not the case with most businesses, utilities and financial institutions They share the same Internet with us mere mortals . So a cyber warrior may be able to turn off the lights in a major city using the same network as the teen hacker uses to place compromising photo of his principal on his school’s webpage.

In the not too distant future, the military might of a nation may well be vested in the computer engineers and programmers rather than in fighter pilots and physical armaments.

Networks A Mixed Blessing

Many years ago at the dawn of what we now call the digital age, Thomas Watson, then CEO of IBM, was alleged to have opined, “I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.” While this was a misquote of a very shrewd business leader, the substance of this observation is not too far off the mark. More and more computers and other digital devices need to be interconnected in order to provide all the services now available at home, at work or on the road. The need for processing power built into the individual devices, be it a netbook, a smart phone or an iPad, is lessening as all of these devices are now interconnected via networks and the Internet. Indeed there are relatively few large super computers serving up information and services. The power of the internet is in the connectivity.

While this “distributed power” of networks and the Internet is a enabler of our world economy and our modern lifestyle, it is also our “Achilles Heal.” In his new book, Cyber War, Richard Clarke warns that warfare in the future will not be fought with bombs, guns or even unmanned aircraft. Rather, he notes, our foes are building new forces and weapons aimed at our computer networks. This cyber-arms build up is largely unnoticed by the public. Nevertheless, it is posing a danger of premeditated or accidental cyberwar, which in turn could trigger violent conflicts across the globe.

In conflicts of the past, warring armies concentrated on destroying bridges, rail lines, and highways as they were all needed for a country to carry on day to day commerce. Today with almost all of our daily routines dependent on computer networks and the Internet, the target of our foes has changed. The systems controlling the phone calls we make, the electricity flowing into our homes, the money from the ATM, and even the water used to brush our teeth in the morning, all rely on computer networks. This is the new ground zero.

Few of us using home or office computers have been spared the irritation and inconvenience of viruses. Even with software to detect them, some continue to get through wreaking havoc on our personal data. While this is a hassle, it pales in comparison to the results of a failure in one or more of these national and international networks. Clarke points out that the military has in place isolated networks protected from outside attack. That is not the case with most businesses, utilities and financial institutions They share the same Internet with us mere mortals . So a cyber warrior may be able to turn off the lights in a major city using the same network as the teen hacker uses to place compromising photo of his principal on his school’s webpage.

In the not too distant future, the military might of a nation may well be vested in the computer engineers and programmers rather than in fighter pilots and physical armaments.

You Can't Easily Turn the Internet Off

Recent news reports from various parts of the world have spotlighted the ubiquitous Internet and how it is shaping the fabric of society. Its impact is reminiscent of the old song “How You Gonna Keep’em Down On the Farm after They’ve Seen Paree.” In reality, the Internet is much more powerful than any communications tool that has gone before it. Governments, especially those that are closed and restrictive, are finding this out the hard way.

Other communications technologies were much easier to control by those in power. Radio and TV programming can be censored and even rogue stations can be jammed if the people in charge disagree with the message.

Recently in Iran, during the short-lived but pervasive unrest, the Internet was used by dissidents to communicate both internally with the protesters as well as to release to the world what was happening in the streets even after traditional media were barred from reporting.

The dilemma facing the Iranian government was how to control the Internet. In days gone by, you could just shut it down, pull the plug. That is no longer a viable option. The same Internet that allows the free flow of information and the same Internet that makes embarrassing YouTube videos available to the world, also is the backbone for commerce, banking, the power grid, the airline system and most anything else that a modern society relies on. To have the water pump and the sanitation system operate in most case requires the control and interconnection provide by the Internet.

The vital role of the Internet in modern society is not lost on those who would seek to do us harm. Just a week or so ago, cyber attacks were launched against the US and South Korea seeking to slow down or even to cripple the Internet and the computer connected to it. While the government and academia are hard at work to prevent such a catastrophic event, right now we have a lot of eggs in this basket and much more than a big omelet will result if that basket ever breaks.

You Can't Easily Turn the Internet Off

Recent news reports from various parts of the world have spotlighted the ubiquitous Internet and how it is shaping the fabric of society. Its impact is reminiscent of the old song “How You Gonna Keep’em Down On the Farm after They’ve Seen Paree.” In reality, the Internet is much more powerful than any communications tool that has gone before it. Governments, especially those that are closed and restrictive, are finding this out the hard way.

Other communications technologies were much easier to control by those in power. Radio and TV programming can be censored and even rogue stations can be jammed if the people in charge disagree with the message.

Recently in Iran, during the short-lived but pervasive unrest, the Internet was used by dissidents to communicate both internally with the protesters as well as to release to the world what was happening in the streets even after traditional media were barred from reporting.

The dilemma facing the Iranian government was how to control the Internet. In days gone by, you could just shut it down, pull the plug. That is no longer a viable option. The same Internet that allows the free flow of information and the same Internet that makes embarrassing YouTube videos available to the world, also is the backbone for commerce, banking, the power grid, the airline system and most anything else that a modern society relies on. To have the water pump and the sanitation system operate in most case requires the control and interconnection provide by the Internet.

The vital role of the Internet in modern society is not lost on those who would seek to do us harm. Just a week or so ago, cyber attacks were launched against the US and South Korea seeking to slow down or even to cripple the Internet and the computer connected to it. While the government and academia are hard at work to prevent such a catastrophic event, right now we have a lot of eggs in this basket and much more than a big omelet will result if that basket ever breaks.