Afterbytes with Marcus Ranum – Under Constant Attack

Title: Critical Infrastructure Computer Systems Under Constant Attack

Date: January 28 & 29, 2010

According to a report from The Center for Strategic and International Studies, utility companies’ and other critical infrastructure components’ computer systems are constantly under attack worldwide. The report, which was commissioned by McAfee, compiles information gathered from 600 IT and security executives at companies around the world. More than half of respondents believe that their countries’ laws are not effective in deterring cyber attacks, and nearly half believe that their countries do not have the ability to prevent cyber attacks.

Sources: Global Critical Infrastructure Networks Regularly Under Attack , Government's Cybersecurity Role Gets Mixed Reaction, Study Finds Growing Fear of Cyberattacks

Wow, did you realize that if you connect to the internet, you might come under attack?

Once again, we see the reality disconnect that is computer security. Are we to infer from the article that executives expect their government to somehow protect their internet connected systems from so many attacks? It's starting to sound like it's time to put the signs back up that read "Must be _ this tall to ride this ride." It is now and has always been the case that:

Anyone connecting to the internet should expect to be attacked
You pretty much can't "do anything" about the attacks
The attacks will appear to come from someplace you (continue reading...)