I came across a story by Rob Hastings that came out yesterday (Link at bottom). Whilst his report focuses on the UK it is relevant everywhere. CyberAttacks, Planning and Prepping provides a good discussion on the impact of cyber-attacks and how bad they could really be. It also provides some insight into how the government in the UK is preparing.
In my book, Survivorpedia I discuss Cyber-attacks and how they pose a real and escalating threat in our lives. These intentional actions strategically target vital computer systems, aiming to acquire sensitive information or manipulate code. Most recently the British Library was attacked.
“The attack, which took place on 31 October, has also resulted in the library's website being down for almost a month.
The Rhysida ransomware group claim to be behind the attack and say they will auction off the stolen data.
The cyber gang say the price for data, that includes passport scans, has been set at 20 Bitcoin (£596,459).” https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-67484639
The repercussions of a successful cyber-attack extend into far more serious areas than deleting a few overdue library books. They could attack power grids, banking systems, transportation services, and communication networks. Perpetrators of cyber-attacks range from criminal organisations and state actors to individuals.
The risk landscape of cyber-attacks is broken into outsider and insider threats. Outsider threats involve organised criminals, state-sponsored hackers, and amateurs, while insider threats encompass employees, former staff, and business partners with legitimate access, exploiting it to cause harm. Particularly alarming are state-sponsored hacker groups, known as advanced persistent threats (APTs), constituting a significant menace to government institutions and organisations.
The aftermath of a triumphant cyber-attack can be catastrophic, as illustrated by the ransomware assault on the Colonial Pipeline in May 2021. Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack - Wikipedia This incident resulted in a suspension of pipeline operations, compelling the company to yield to the demanded ransom to regain control of its computerised infrastructure. It underscores the imperative need for robust cybersecurity measures to shield against the burgeoning threat of cyber-attacks.
The question is, are we prepared for a cyber attack at a family level? What would we do if the grid was down for a month, if the gas was shut off for a month, how would de feed ourselves and stay warm? Have you developed a specific action plan that mitigates your specific risk in the event of a cyber attack on major utility services?
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