Intelligence and the Increasing Advancement in the Technology - Case Study Example

Intelligence and Technology INTRODUCTION The world has been witnessing continuous technological advancements due to which many technologies are getting quickly obsolete. The continuous advancement in the technologies has provided significant advantages to the people as well as the nations. However, these advancements also have created certain imperative challenges which need to be critically understood in order to frame reliable countermeasures. It has been argued that the advancements in the technologies which have provided numerous opportunities to world are misused by certain groups such as terrorists and aspirant countries. Currently, the cyber threat is considered as one of the biggest challenges for the security of nations. Another major threat that is being faced by the world is the terror of nuclear attack. The implication of such attacks is perceived to be devastating that may cause widespread loss of human lives as well as damage to the properties. Besides, these current challenges and new forms of threats are identified to be emerging in the form of cyber-warfare and biological-warfare. In order to mitigate these threats, intelligence community has implemented several technologies. Nonetheless, these technologies are not completely capable to mitigate the current and the potential challenges but are being expected to aid the world community to prevent these threats (Archibugi and Pietrobelli 861-883; DaSilva, 109-139; Medalia 1-106; Schreier 1-132). THESIS STATEMENT The exposure to technological risks is constantly increasing and it has become an imperative proposition for the intelligence community to device countermeasures to mitigate current and potential future risks. Correspondingly, study intends to identify two currents threats and two potential future threats for which the countermeasures will be provided. CURRENT THREATS Cyber Espionage Intrusion. In the past few years, there have been considerable changes made in the domain of cyber security which has been accompanied with increasing attacks by the mode of cybercrime. Currently, cybercrimes are targeting businesses and government information technology (IT) infrastructure for various purposes. As a result, information leakage and loss of sensitive data have become a common phenomenon. It can be argued that the world is transforming into becoming more advanced and every country across the world is competing to acquire greater competitive tractions and political power. As a consequence of this, many countries have increased their activities in the form of cyber espionage which has resulted in creating political instability as well as conflicts among the nations. In this regard, countries like the United States have been constantly witnessing the threat of cyber espionage from rivals. The impact of cyber espionage has been reckoned to be impeding the military operations, national security as well as the well-being of the personnel engaged in the task of ensuring national security. Due to the technological innovations, more sophisticated technologies are being used by the intruders to execute large scale cyber espionages. The impact of cyber-espionage is perceived to be more precarious, as intruders with the use of cyber weapons have the capability to disrupt the entire civil, military and government activities (Schreier 1-132). In the light of the increasing threat of cyber espionage by terrorist groups and foreign intelligence services, many counter-measures have been placed in order to secure the information and communications infrastructure. Correspondingly, countries such as the United States have deployed Intrusion Detection System (IDS) using passive sensors form as a crucial part of U.S Government network defenses. ‘IDS’ is capable of detecting any unauthorized access or attempt of intruders. At the same time, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has implemented EINSTEIN 2 activities, signature-based sensors as one of the countermeasures against the increasing threat of cyber espionage intrusion. The signature-based sensors deployed by DHS are capable of checking internet traffic for any malicious content and unauthorized access. It is worth mentioning that EINSTEIN 2 activities enable the investigation of network flow information that facilitates in the identification of potential malicious codes or activities through performing automatic full packet examination of traffic that enters and exists the US Government networks with the help of signature-based intrusion detection application (Center for Democracy & Technology, “Einstein Intrusion Detection System: Questions That Should Be Addressed”). In addition, Trusted Internet Connection (TIC) initiative has been undertaken as a countermeasure which seeks for consolidation of government external access point. It is expected that this consolidation will facilitate in achieving common security solution that would ultimately result in minimizing the external access points and promoting baseline security. Moreover, DHS along with its private partners has been involved in devising extensive plans based on shared actions guided by aggressive series of goals and objectives. The plan firmly addresses the issue of security as well as information assurance across the different units of cyber infrastructure in order to increase the resiliency as well as capabilities. This plan further emphasizes public-private sharing of information pertaining to cyber threats and its related consequences (Center for Democracy & Technology, “Einstein Intrusion Detection System: Questions That Should Be Addressed”). Nuclear Threats. Nuclear threat which involves the use of nuclear weapons for mass destruction is another major challenge faced by the world today. Nuclear weapons are argued to play a major role in the international security. These weapons are considered as the most destructive weapons and their threat has raised concerns amid many countries across the world. With the increase in the scale of terrorist operations and nuclear aspirant countries, this threat is perceived to dramatically influence the international security as well as world peace. Countries across the world have revealed significant concerns over the increasing nuclear threat. Despite the growing concerns regarding the nuclear threat, nuclear weapons and materials are illegitimately smuggled. In the backdrop of increasing nuclear threat, several measures and nuclear weapons detection technologies have been developed in order to mitigate the threat. In this regard, several technologies are used to detect and mitigate the threat of nuclear weapons and materials. Countries across the world are using technologies such as sensors, surveillance systems, x-ray imaging and measuring equipment to monitor the illegitimate transit of nuclear weapons and materials. It is worth mentioning that materials that are used for developing nuclear weapons include uranium, plutonium, neutrons and gamma rays. Uranium and plutonium emit radiation. Thus, most of the nuclear weapons and material detectors are developed to sense the radiations emitted by uranium and plutonium (Medalia 1-106). The current detection technologies include radiation “pagers”. This equipment is used to detect radiation at a close distance. This device is named as pager because of its size and shape that resembles a pager. Another detection technology includes the use of radiation portal monitors. This device uses plastic scintillator material for detecting radiation. Moreover, radioactive isotope identification devices that work based on software is used to detect radioisotope through its gamma-ray spectrum. Radiographic imaging systems that produce radiographic images are used to search for nuclear weapons or materials automatically. “Gamma Detector Response and Analysis Software” (GADRAS) is also used to detect radioactive sources creating a gamma-ray spectrum. Nonetheless, these countermeasures are not fully able to mitigate the nuclear threats and owe certain important drawbacks. At the same time, cost associated with the development of these technologies is quite high (Medalia 1-106). POTENTIAL FUTURE THREATS Cyber-warfare. The development of information technology has been driving the world towards becoming more digitized. The digitalization of the world has led towards the emergence of new and potential threats of cyber-war. Different types of cyber-crime have been constantly increasing with which the world community is required to deal with. The increasing cyber-crime and network infiltration is firmly driven by nation-states and political goals. In the current day circumstances, cyberspace is widely being used as a platform for political, economic, and military conflicts accompanied with hostile interest. At the same time, frequency of cyber-attack has increased to manifold in the recent years and has been practiced routinely. Consequently, significant concerns have been raised by world communities towards the increasing phenomenon of cyber-attacks. It has been believed that the intensity of such attack will further surge in the later years leading towards the emergence of cyber-warfare (Schreier 1-132). The major components of cyber-warfare include malware, social engineering, mobile devices, hacking, denial of service, cyber espionage and identity theft. In order to mitigate the threat of malware, cyber intelligences are installing anti-virus and antispyware applications capable of detecting the malicious codes such as virus, Trojan horse and worms among others. SPAM filters are also extensively used in order to secure sensitive data from malware that can enter into the system from anonym’s source. Besides, firewalls are being installed to eliminate the risk of denial of service. EINSTEIN 2 intrusion detection system has also been used in order to identify cyber-attacks from intruders (Center for Democracy & Technology, “Einstein Intrusion Detection System: Questions That Should Be Addressed”). In addition, Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is used as a countermeasure against the increasing threat of cyber-warfare. Mobile Internal Acquisition Tool (MIAT) and Cloud Storage Services (CSS) have emerged as popular intelligence technologies used by cyber intelligence to mitigate the issue of cyber-threat. Cryptographic countermeasures are also used to ensure the security of IT infrastructure. Digital signature is being used in order to ensure the integrity of information and reduce the implication of cyber-warfare. Smart Protection Network which collects threat data is a robust sensor network that is used to deal with of cyber-warfare. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificates are also being used to enhance the network security (Dezfoli, Dehghantanha, Mahmoud, Sani amd Daryabar 48-76). Biological-warfare. As stated earlier, the advancement in the technology has not only positive impacts on the nation but there are certain threats that need to be critically analyzed. In this regard, there has been substantial rise in the asymmetric security threats. The intelligence community as well as policy makers have revealed their significant concern over such threats. More specifically, biotechnology in the form of bio weapons attack has been the major source of concerns. Accordingly, there has been a widespread concern due to the growing threat of bio-weapons. Nonetheless, no major incidents of biological weapon attacks have been witnessed in the past but it is believed that terrorist groups in the future period may use bio-weapons for the purpose of mass destruction which may not only generate the threat against the national security but it will have more drastic impacts on the mankind. In a nutshell, threat related to biological warfare agent is perceived to impose significant security challenges in the future period. There are various reasons that distinguish biological warfare threat to be more serious than other forms of threats. In this regard, biological weapons have low visibility and can be deployed with the use of simple means. Besides, biological warfare agents do not require high level of scientific and technological resources rather it can be prepared with the use of common commercial process (DaSilva 109-139). At the same time, a lack of proper understanding regarding the conceptual model for biotechnology has further made the issue more critical. Nonetheless, it has been observed that there are certain challenges related with the biological warfare agent detection technology. In this regard, no single sensor is capable of detecting all biological agents. Several technologies are required as a component of a layered detection network. In the light of persisting challenges related to the detection of biological agents, intelligence community is engaged in developing the network of sensors in order to mitigate the emerging threat of biological warfare agent. Biosensors making use of fibre optic have been created as a tool for detecting micro-organism. In addition, immune-sensors are applied for detecting Candida albicans. As a countermeasure tool for mitigating emerging biological warfare threat, US Department of Defense (DoD) has deployed antibody-based biosensors. Moreover, bio-robots have been developed in order to monitor the risk of biological warfare agents. Other detection systems such as laser eyes and electronic noses with warning system have also been used for detecting biological warfare agent threats (DaSilva 109-139). CONCLUSION It has been observed from the foregoing discussion that the increasing advancement in the technologies has also brought in numerous challenges. In this context, it can be observed that currently the world is facing two major challenges i.e. cyber espionage intrusion and nuclear threats. The increase in the rate of cyber espionage driven by military and political motives has increased the risk of loss of sensitive data and disruption of many basic IT infrastructures. In order to deal with the currently faced challenges of cyber-espionage, intelligence community has formulated certain relevant countermeasures and subsequently a few them have been implemented with a view to mitigate this risk. Correspondingly, EINSTEIN 2 intrusion detection system can be identified to be the latest development that facilitates in identification of any attempt to unauthorized access of information over the network. Another threat faced by the world today includes nuclear threat. Nuclear threat not only has a significant impact on the government bodies but its impact can be perceived to be devastating on entire living beings and property. In order to cope up with this threat, numerous countermeasures have been implemented. Consequently, radiographic imaging systems, radioactive isotope identification devices and radiation “pagers” are a few imperative intelligence technologies used to prevent the risk of nuclear threats. At the same time, it is perceived that in the upcoming years, the world will be facing two major challenges i.e. cyber-warfare and biological-warfare. Correspondingly, in order to deal with the potential threats of cyber-warfare, intelligence communities have been engaged in implementing technologies such as advanced intrusion detection system and more powerful antivirus and antispyware. As far as biological warfare is concerned, its impact on living beings is considered to be dramatic. Thus, as a countermeasure, the intelligence communities are widely involved in implementing technologies such as biosensors, bio-robots electronic noses and laser eyes among others to mitigate the risk of bio-warfare. Works Cited Archibugi, Daniele, and Carlo Pietrobelli. “The Globalization of Technology and Its Implications for Developing Countries Windows of Opportunity or Further Burden.” Technological Forecasting & Social Change 70 (2003): 861-883. Print. “Einstein Intrusion Detection System: Questions That Should Be Addressed.” Center for Democracy & Technology. 2009. Web. 09 Apr. 2014. DaSilva, Edgar J. “Biological Warfare, Bioterrorism, Biodefense and the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.” EJB Electronic Journal of Biotechnology 2.3 (1999): 109-139. Print. Dezfoli, Farhood Norouzizadeh, Ali Dehghantanha, Ramlan Mahmoud, Nor Fazlida Binti Mohd Sani, and Farid Daryabar. “DigitalForensicTrendsandFuture.” International Journal of Cyber-Security and Digital Forensics 2.2 (2013): 48-76. Print. Medalia, Jonathan. “Detection of Nuclear Weapons and Materials: Science, Technologies, Observations.” Congressional Research Service (2010): 1-106. Print. Schreier, Fred. “On Cyberwarfare.” DCAF Horizon 2015 Working Paper (n.d.): 1-132.Print. Read More