By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
TechgoonduTechgoondu
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
    • Software
    • Cybersecurity
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
    • Cellphones
    • Tablets
  • PC
  • Telecom
Search
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Global agency needed to investigate cyber crimes and take action
Share
Aa
TechgoonduTechgoondu
Aa
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
  • PC
  • Telecom
Search
  • Audio-visual
  • Enterprise
    • Software
    • Cybersecurity
  • Gaming
  • Imaging
  • Internet
  • Media
  • Mobile
    • Cellphones
    • Tablets
  • PC
  • Telecom
Follow US
© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Techgoondu > Blog > Enterprise > Global agency needed to investigate cyber crimes and take action
EnterpriseInternetSoftware

Global agency needed to investigate cyber crimes and take action

Grace Chng
Last updated: September 24, 2018 at 10:05 AM
Grace Chng Published September 24, 2018
7 Min Read
SHARE
Vitaly Kamluk, Asia-Pacific director of Kaspersky Global Research and Analysis Team (GReAT), speaking at a forum at Siem Reap on September 20, 2018. PHOTO: Grace Chng

National defence budgets now include heavy investments in cyber security for governments and organisations with the rise of cyber attacks.

One perspective emerging from the security community differentiates military spending from cyber investments.

More often than not, spending on stealth jets, tanks and other military equipment is aimed at deterrence. It showcases a country’s military might to prevent an outbreak of war.

Investments in cyber defence, however, are mostly unseen in the form of software, used for offensive purposes.

They can be used to disable power generation, banking facilities and stop factory equipment. They are also tools of modern-day espionage, surreptitiously gathering secret or confidential information digitally.

One consequence of cyber defence is that governments are building local Web fences, cutting themselves off from the Internet in the hope of combatting cyber attacks.

However, complete Internet isolation also means cyber defenders only see their own networks and not the full extent of Internet traffic, thus crippling their ability to discern normal patterns from attack behavior.

It is an interesting way of looking at cyber security by Russian security firm Kaspersky Lab, whose top researchers and executives discussed the militarisation of cyber space at a forum last week.

Called Balkanisation of the Internet, the discussion highlighted that the walling off of domestic Internet connections will lead to fragmentation of this global network.

The firm pointed out that several countries are also drawing up new laws that require global tech giants like Google to shift their data centres to local locations to curb foreign spying and overseas data intrusions.

Founded by Eugene Kaspersky, Kaspersky Lab develops and sells ICT security products for personal and business use. It has a research team that tracks the growth of malware. This knowledge helps it keep its products updated to handle the latest security threats.

Held in Siem Reap, the event last week also discussed the rise of protectionism and geopolitics which would prevent better cooperation and collaboration needed to combat cyber attacks.

The nub of the issue for Kaspersky is that it was banned by the United States government last year from selling its security tools and solutions there, following accusations of its deep connections with the Russian government and Russia-based hacking groups.

Kaspersky is not the only company accused of cyber sleuthing because of their origins. Chinese giants Huawei and ZTE are also not allowed to sell their telecom equipment to the US government and its contractors.

Citing security concerns, the Australian government also blocked them from providing 5G mobile networks Down Under.

The fear is that these companies have embedded “back doors” to allow the Russian and Chinese governments to digitally sneak into the US and Australian networks and infocomm infrastructure for nefarious purposes.

But Kaspersky’s attempts to claw back its reputation have been more visible. The company fears that other countries will follow the US order.

It moved its operations and customer data from Russia to Switzerland, which is considered a more neutral home. Its software codes for its security products have also moved to Switzerland.

A Transparency Centre is being readied where potential customers can view the software codes to judge for themselves that they are no back doors. It is also working with a major management consultancy to audit its processes.

Paralleling this move, Kaspersky researchers are also highlighting the rise of malware and the urgency needed by governments and organisations to cooperate and collaborate to thwart cyber attacks.

Vitaly Kamluk, Kaspersky’s Asia-Pacific director of GReAT (Global Research and Analysis Team), pointed out that in this region the volume of new malware detected daily had been increasing annually, in sophistication and reach.

As an example, Kaspersky’s Korea-based senior security researcher, Seongsu Park, highlighted the Lazarus group which is a sophisticated and infamous online hacker group in Asia-Pacific.

Lazarus is responsible for the Korean-speaking advanced persistent threat (APT) malware which has launched fake supply chain attacks.

First steps are already being taken by governments to cooperate and collaborate. Last week, Singapore announced a cyber security centre to coordinate training and collaborative efforts among Asean countries.

Measures are also underway in the European Union to enhance cooperation among member states and boost cyber capabilities.

Security companies like Kaspersky can only do so much. They detect new malware, identify the threats and trace the attack routes. But taking the cyber culprits down requires law enforcement agencies like the police.

However, the challenge is that cyber attacks cut across borders because of global Internet connectivity. Attackers may be based in another country but their cyber invasions may be felt elsewhere.

Interpol, the international organisation made up of member countries to facilitate police cooperation across the world, does look into cyber security but it has no enforcement responsibilities.

Besides, many cyber attacks have been allegedly caused by nation states which could be Interpol members too. This causes a conflict of interest for Interpol.

Perhaps the time is nigh for a global security agency that has teeth. Its task should be three-fold: gather threat intelligence from security companies, organisations and governments; investigate international cyber crime groups; and then be able to take action to close them down.

This agency should be a neutral party that will keep the data and information it collects secret and confidential. This will engender trust with all the parties it works with.

Such an agency will have to navigate through national and organisational sensitivities and face many challenges.

But with malware rising exponentially, such a global security agency, preferably with the backing of the United Nations, ought to be set up sooner rather than later.

You Might Also Like

Five ways the Roborock S8 robot vacuum will change the way you clean your home

After another DBS outage, is it time to make banks publicly report service uptime?

IT leaders must manage the tension point between application development and security by embracing a DevSecOps approach

SPTel offers multi-network eSIM service to businesses running IoT apps

As TikTok faces a possible ban in the US, should users elsewhere be worried?

TAGGED: Balkanisation, cyber defence, cyber security, global security agency, Interpol, Kaspersky, think, UN

Sign up for the TG newsletter

Never miss anything again. Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Grace Chng September 24, 2018
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn Copy Link Print
Share
Avatar photo
By Grace Chng
Follow:
A seasoned writer, author and industry observer, Grace was the key tech writer for The Straits Times for more than three decades. She co-founded and edited Computer Times, later renamed Digital Life. She helmed this publication, the de facto national IT magazine, for nearly 19 years. Grace is also the editor and co-curator of Intelligent Island: The Untold Story of Singapore’s Tech Journey, a book highlighting Singapore’s ICT development.
Previous Article Goondu review: Honor Play
Next Article Singapore competition watchdog fines Grab, Uber a total of S$13 million, a drop in the ocean
Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Stay Connected

Facebook Like
Twitter Follow

Latest News

Five ways the Roborock S8 robot vacuum will change the way you clean your home
Internet March 31, 2023
After another DBS outage, is it time to make banks publicly report service uptime?
Enterprise Internet March 30, 2023
Xiaomi 13 Pro review: A photography powerhouse with 1-inch image sensor
Cellphones Mobile March 29, 2023
IT leaders must manage the tension point between application development and security by embracing a DevSecOps approach
Cybersecurity Enterprise Software March 29, 2023
//

Techgoondu.com is published by Goondu Media Pte Ltd, a company registered and based in Singapore.

.

Started in June 2008 by technology journalists and ex-journalists in Singapore who share a common love for all things geeky and digital, the site now includes segments on personal computing, enterprise IT and Internet culture.

banner banner
Everyday DIY
PC needs fixing? Get your hands on with the latest tech tips
READ ON
banner banner
Leaders Q&A
What tomorrow looks like to those at the leading edge today
FIND OUT
banner banner
Advertise with us
Discover unique access and impact with TG custom content
SHOW ME

 

 

POWERED BY READYSPACE
The Techgoondu website is powered by and managed by Readyspace Web Hosting.

TechgoonduTechgoondu
Follow US

© 2023 Goondu Media Pte Ltd. All Rights Reserved | Privacy | Terms of Use | Advertise | About Us | Contact

Join Us!

Never miss anything again. Get the latest news and analysis in your inbox.

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
 

Loading Comments...
 

    Welcome Back!

    Sign in to your account

    Lost your password?