In the next twelve months, cyber security faces diverse, persistent threats both at the national level and at the consumer level. It is highly likely that the hacktivist collective, Anonymous, will be the most active non -state actor in the cyber-arena. Other hacking groups, like TeaMp0isoN and The Hacker Army, and lone wolf actors will likely continue to threaten U.S. cyber-security, although their activities will likely not eclipse the threat posed by Anonymous. Organized criminal operations, especially the Russian Business Network, will likely continue their criminal operations targeting American consumers. Al-Qaeda, while possessing a threat in other areas of U.S. National Security is unlikely to pose a serious threat to cyber-security in the next 12 months.
Anonymous is likely to threaten the cyber security of corporations and governments more than that of the American consumer. With its most recent actions, Anonymous addressed perceived attacks against the freedom of information on the Internet. Anonymous’ actions show a pattern of escalating political involvement, working against organizations and governments that limit individuals’ access to internet information. However, it is difficult to predict the collective’s targets due to its cellular structure; many different groups can execute attacks from behind the Anonymous façade.
While authorities are highly unlikely to accurately predict Anonymous’ targets, the next attacks will probably arise as retaliation to new legislation restricting internet freedoms or other unfavorable government or political activities. Perceived corporate or governmental violations of social, political, or environmental norms will likely be the impetus for future attacks.
The United States is likely to continue to find trouble dealing with cyber-security issues. In this fight, the attacking force will most likely continue to have the upper hand. The non-state actors leading these attacks will most likely continue to find vulnerabilities online, and the tools used to exploit these vulnerabilities will likely remain viable. Authorities are unlikely to accurately predict which targets Anonymous will attack, because the organization reacts to perceived social ills. This is unlike other rogue cyber-agents who often maintain a set of motivations and goals and actively work to the fulfillment of those goals.
Although anonymous is the most pressing cyber-threat by some margin, other groups will present challenges for authorities. Those groups and lone actors with strong ideologies and well-established objectives present a different type of threat than Anonymous. The Hacker Army will likely remain active in its fight against Indian occupation. Other active hacking groups will likely continue their individual crusades. Lone wolf actors and organized crime present the largest risk to the American consumer, with malware, phishing, and other Internet based attacks. They are unlikely to extend their activities past cyber-attacks for financial gain in the next 12 months.
Anonymous is likely to threaten the cyber security of corporations and governments more than that of the American consumer. With its most recent actions, Anonymous addressed perceived attacks against the freedom of information on the Internet. Anonymous’ actions show a pattern of escalating political involvement, working against organizations and governments that limit individuals’ access to internet information. However, it is difficult to predict the collective’s targets due to its cellular structure; many different groups can execute attacks from behind the Anonymous façade.
While authorities are highly unlikely to accurately predict Anonymous’ targets, the next attacks will probably arise as retaliation to new legislation restricting internet freedoms or other unfavorable government or political activities. Perceived corporate or governmental violations of social, political, or environmental norms will likely be the impetus for future attacks.
The United States is likely to continue to find trouble dealing with cyber-security issues. In this fight, the attacking force will most likely continue to have the upper hand. The non-state actors leading these attacks will most likely continue to find vulnerabilities online, and the tools used to exploit these vulnerabilities will likely remain viable. Authorities are unlikely to accurately predict which targets Anonymous will attack, because the organization reacts to perceived social ills. This is unlike other rogue cyber-agents who often maintain a set of motivations and goals and actively work to the fulfillment of those goals.
Although anonymous is the most pressing cyber-threat by some margin, other groups will present challenges for authorities. Those groups and lone actors with strong ideologies and well-established objectives present a different type of threat than Anonymous. The Hacker Army will likely remain active in its fight against Indian occupation. Other active hacking groups will likely continue their individual crusades. Lone wolf actors and organized crime present the largest risk to the American consumer, with malware, phishing, and other Internet based attacks. They are unlikely to extend their activities past cyber-attacks for financial gain in the next 12 months.