International Cyber Warfare

            In the fall of 2010, during the Student Conference of United States Affairs at the United States Military Academy, I had the opportunity to listen to a speech delivered by U.S. Admiral James Stavridis. Admiral Stavridis, as the Supreme Allied Commander of Europe under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, is arguably the most powerful military commander in the world. He spoke of the current threats posed to both America and the free world, which included nuclear weapons and both domestic and foreign terrorist groups. However, he emphasized that the largest and most threatening danger is the potential for increased cyber warfare.
             Admiral Stavridis explained that while cyber technology has allowed for better communication and military capability, it also poses a significant threat to our security and safety. His sentiments have been echoed by a reoccurring theme in our Principles of Information Technology Class: that technology has both its positive and negative consequences. Although oftentimes we naively hope that emerging technology will be used for the betterment of humanity, it is sometimes, sadly, not the case.
             The United States has recognized the emerging threat of cyber warfare and terrorism since the summer of 2010, in which it was believed that the Chinese military had begun using civilian computer experts to infiltrate U.S. military and corporate computer systems. We have also witnessed the incredible influence and power of groups such as ‘Anonymous,’ who have recently partaken in ‘international hacktivism’ on both government and private companies.
             Although we become increasingly dependent upon computer and cyber technology, we are also becoming more and more vulnerable with both our physical and financial safety.

Samuel, Henry. "Hillary Clinton urges Nato to tackle cyber terrorism." Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/7104720/Hillary-Clinton-urges-Nato-to-tackle-cyber-terrorism.html.