Coffee Break // Cyber News 014

Happy Monday, y’all!

In the news this past weekend I see the South Korean government is making what sounds to be pretty slow progress on restoring their destroyed data center. At only 36.7% recovered at the time that article was posted, I suspect that incremental progress will continue towards, but never reach, 100% for them.

Over my coffee this morning I read CBS News’ interview with Retired General Tim Haugh. In it, he interprets China’s aggressive targeting of our critical infrastructure over the past several years through the lens of war-preparation. In his view, there is no other economic or social motivation for such attacks.
When considering the silent cyber war with China, I reflect with some trepidation on the divided nature of our internal politics right now. One of the few advantages of the totalitarian Chinese system is that they present a comparatively unified force. Right now in the USA we are perilously divided. If we were thrown into a war tomorrow, how would we handle the long-term resource cost, especially if our enemies can remotely attack so much of our infrastructure? Would a fractured nation like ours really be able to rally together to support a conventional war effort?
And, if we’re going beyond cyber warfare in our considerations, what is being done about Chinese farmland ownership? Even if we pass laws like many states have to prevent foreign ownership of property near military bases, how are we going to vet and prevent our enemies overseas from utilizing shell companies?

Finally, a developing story that I’m beginning to follow is the firing of California Cybersecurity Chief Edward Bombita. This one could end being a nothing burger or an HR complaint, but mid-high profile firings without cause always beg the question: what don’t they want the public to know?