Hackers Gain Access to RSAs SecurID Tokens - Essay Example

The article also quotes the statements made by RSA on this issue. They have stated that APTs becoming a significant challenge for all large corporations. Also, the statements made by RSA’s CEO at the RSA Security Conference in San Francisco earlier this year describes that such attacks as part of an evolving threat landscape that has shifted from wholesale crime to targeted attacks that steal high-value information (Jackson, Hackers gain access to RSAs SecurID security tokens, 2011). The incident at RSA has also urged the government to work collaboratively with the private sector to address all kinds of cyber threats.

And the importance of comprehensive cybersecurity legislation is also understood by the authorities according to Sen. Susan Collins, Senate Homeland Security, and Governmental Affairs Committee.In general, the article has explained the scenario in a manner in which any novice person can understand what has happened. I feel very little technical information has been provided on, how the hackers got through the defenses of the RSA system. It seems the author may have thought that discussing such details will further damage the company’s reputation and security.

Since the damage has already caused by the incident, it is better to discuss the matter in more detail in the context of how they stopped the malicious activity.RSA should be given credit since they have taken measures to notify the public in time about the situation, where most other companies do not do. They have not been reluctant to accept that they have been beaten in their own backyard. In other words, it is a surprise for a company considered as the best in the business in developing security systems against hacking to face this type of situation.

The article strongly presents the confidence of the company in this critical situation by quoting the open letter and the CEO’s statements. From analyzing the statements of RSA’s CEO it is clear that they were aware of advanced persistent threats for some time. I think these comments also give the impression that they have not done enough to prevent such activity even though they knew what was coming. Clear evidence of the impact made by this incident felt by the government and related authorities is illustrated by bringing the new Cyber Security and Freedom act.

The article points out the importance of a collaborative effort between the government and the private sector to address all cyber threats that are essential in parallel to the strengthening of laws.In the RSA’s customers’ point of view, the article provides a good insight into the situation. Since the writer has been less critical of the company which will earn them some sympathy. Addition of technical details on the incident would have made the article more interesting for advanced readers as well.