Cyber Caliphate

The Efficiency of Operations and Intensified Cyberattacks

The efficiency of operations in business, communication, education, and government organizations, among others, has increased thanks to technological breakthroughs like the Internet, many communication tools, computers, systems, and applications. Despite these advantages, technological improvements have intensified cyberattacks, particularly those involving security breaches and financial gain. The availability of multiple security breaches through social media, spear phishing, security whitewash in cooperative sectors, and other factors have opened doors for these cyber dangers (Rainie, Anderson, & Connolly, 2014). Others such as increased digital data storage, advanced technical training of employees, hacktivism and the ever advancing spams and viruses are also some of the ways in which advancement in technology has intensified cyber security threats (Utica College, 2016). In recent years, cyber threats have been used by governments to organize and execute military crimes through hacking of official websites. An example of such an incident is the case where the Syrian electronic army hacked the official U.S military site and the Islamic state cyber caliphate who hacked the United States Social media command. These instances are growing and increasing in complexity and thus posing a security threat to civilians.

Cyber Security Breaches in Institutions

One of the ways in which Cyber Caliphate is spreading is through increased cyber security breaches in corporate sectors. For instance, some officials in a sensitive government institution and corporate sectors may fail to acknowledge the threats and thus fail to employ tight security measures in their cyberspace. Hackers take advantage of these loopholes by exploiting the employees (Bailey, Del Miglio, & Richter, 2014). There is also increased collaboration between state officials and the hackers who give access avenues to people with malicious interests.

Spear Phishing

Cases of spear phishing have also exposed institutions to cyber security threats. Spear phishing involve sending of spam emails and messages that appear to originate from colleagues or organization departments with the aim of obtaining personal information (Knox, 2017). The information could be on finances which allow the hacker to access unauthorized funds. Such threat is commonly used by cyber caliphates who access information even through social media platforms and use some of that information to hack accounts and access passwords including banking information (Bailey, Del Miglio, & Richter, 2014). On this note, social media platforms create room for hackers to steal personal information and identity of a person. The devices used like phones and tablets are also targeted by attackers for malware to access the stored data.

Digital Data Storage

Technological advancements have brought a shift on data storage; digital data storage has become popular (Utica College, 2016). Most information is stored in a cloud and although the network is secured with passwords strict security measures are required since a hacker may crack passwords and gain access to the data putting an institution or business at a cybersecurity risk (Dipietro, 2015). Another way in which technological advancements have boosted cyber caliphate cases is through employee empowerment through training on IT security threats. Some employees use this knowledge on cyber security threats to phish sensitive information from the organization servers and use it for selfish interests (Erturk, 2012). Cyber Caliphate groups like in the Islamic state have also mastered and hired relevant technical teams who keep advancing their IT skills relevant in hacking.

Hacktivism

Hacktivism is one of the major risks posed by cyber caliphates more so for social or political reasons. The most vulnerable sites are government mainly in a sector like security (Dipietro, 2015). Hackers access intelligence information which may be used by malicious people like the terrorists. Cyber threats continue to intensify following the advancing botnet technologies where specific computers send targeted spams and viruses to devices and networks thus posing data security risk.

A Comparison between the SLP Topics 1, 2, 3 with SLP 4, Cyber Caliphate Topic

Similarities

The SLP topic 1 mainly focuses on the nature of cyber threats and touches on the various trends associated with these risks in a bid to gain an understanding of their cause and effect. The topic relates to the SLP 4 topic on cyber caliphate as it gives a limelight on some of the complexity reasons for cyber threats which is one of the factors. SLP topic 2 looks at the urgency of acknowledging the seriousness of cyber threats citing some vulnerable institutions like the military and corporates. Issues such as creating cyber threats awareness among employees and identifying the possible attackers are also covered in the second SLP topic. SLP 3 also discusses some of the cyber-attack vulnerabilities specifically on Dos attacks and emphasizes on the need for prevention measures to counter them. A similarity can be observed in the four topics as they revolve around cyber-attacks, the causes, and prevention methods and the need for urgency as they pose security threats to the people. All the topics address cyber-attack vulnerabilities though with unique approaches

Differences

The topic on cyber caliphate dwell much in explaining how technological advancements have provided room for the attackers specifically those with political intentions like on national security to exercise their malicious intentions. The topic looks at cyber threats as loopholes used by terrorist groups such as the Islamic State. Topics 1, 2, 3 mainly look at the causes, effects and possible remedies of cyber threats but not at a political angle or as a terrorism avenue.

Images by; Sheera Frenkel (Buzfeed)

Cyber caliphate technical team, who have social media pages like “UNITED CYBER CYBERCALIPHATE.”

References

Bailey, T., Del Miglio, A., & Richter, W. (2014, May 12). The rising strategic risks of cyberattacks- McKinsey & company. Retrieved from http://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/digital-mckinsey/our-insights/the-rising-strategic-risks-of-cyberattacks

Dipietro, B. (2015, March 17). Speed of tech change a threat to cybersecurity - risk & compliance journal. - WSJ. Retrieved from https://blogs.wsj.com/riskandcompliance/2015/03/17/speed-of-technological-change-is-a-threat-to-cybersecurity/

Erturk, E. (2012). Cloud computing and cyber security issues facing local enterprises. Cybersecurity Breaches and Issues Surrounding Online Threat Protection, 219-247. doi:10.4018/978-1-5225-1941-6.ch010

Knox, P. (2017, April 3). Who are the united cyber caliphate and what do the pro-Isis hacking group believe in? Retrieved from https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3242477/united-cyber-caliphate-isis-hacking/

Rainie, L., Anderson, J., & Connolly, J. (2014). Cyber attacks likely to increase: pew research center. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/2014/10/29/cyber-attacks-likely-to-increase/

Utica College. (2016, March 13). Ten ways evolving technology affects cyber security: Utica college online. Retrieved from http://programs.online.utica.edu/articles/ten-ways-evolving-technology-affects-cybersecurity-0321