A third major aspect of hacking is nation states that are looking for business plans or processes that might enhance their operations by stealing ideas, designs and other records that help them advance their national interests.
Hacking in the form of electronic warfare is another weapon in the portfolio of strategies and tactics. It has long been known that nations, including the United States, have been working to incorporate electronic warfare (hacking) into their arsenal of weapons for attacks against military targets and civilian infrastructure.
Enter then also the concept of using hacking as a form of terrorism. Recall that terrorism is not about killing people or blowing up buildings. Terrorism is meant to influence public opinion and change public policy.
Today fingers are being pointed at North Korea as a source of the hacking attack on Sony. If it is true, the hackers appear to have achieved their goal of changing the course of action by that company, when it withdrew the movie The Interview from its planned Christmas Day release.
The issue I see is that the hackers, be it North Korea or another entity or persons, have been handed a terrorism-type victory. They have changed a course of action and reversed decisions previously made. Thus, moving forward when it comes to cybersecurity the Rubicon has been crossed.
I expect the perpetrators of this event will be emboldened to act again when they see an issue and an opportunity to make their mark. Others who might have the same capability today are sure to note what happened in this case and will have moved cyberaction up on the priority of actions that can be taken to impact companies or this nation in general.
There is the case for "assured mutual disruption" as a reason not to attack, but in the case of North Korea, it doesn't have as much to lose as the United States. We are a target rich country with a high dependence on our electrical grid and digital systems functionality. The bottom line is we have more to lose!
Crossing this threshold and enjoying success is what will ensure additional attacks in the future.
