Seoul ill-prepared for NK's cyber terrorism
North Korean hackers have apparently stepped up their infiltration of South Korean cyberspace. Seoul should pay extra attention to defending the information security environment.
Pyongyang's shutdown of the NH banking network for three weeks this year may be a harbinger of the North's full-fledged attack on the South's key cyber installations.
A Seoul cyber security expert came out with a set of horrible scenarios for the country. The North’s military-controlled hackers are capable of suspending all banking and financial services in the South simultaneously. They could suspend the operation of nuclear power plants, ground airplanes, cut off all mobile communication and even paralyze the presidential election next year. They could incapacitate the military system. The worst scenario could be the complete shutdown of the online system in the South.
Since 2002, the North has waged on-and-off hacking of South Korean facilities. Many South Koreans are unaware of the fact that cyber warfare has been under way round-the-clock on the Korean Peninsula. Pinpointing North Korea as the origin is quite elusive as there is no concrete evidence convincing enough to the ordinary people.
About 3,000 hackers are allegedly under the control of the North Korean military. Although the North's cyber infrastructure is less developed, the quality of hackers is reportedly among the best in the world.
Pyongyang will likely set up its less-costly and clandestine attack on cyber installations to destabilize the South, one of the world's most wired countries.
Hackers penetrate the online facilities through the Internet and destroy data and paralyze the online network.
A Ministry of Government Affairs survey showed that the government outsources 77 percent of online operations of key information and telecommunication facilities. Only 18 percent of government agencies and companies are conducting cyber security screening of the notebooks of outsourced companies. The data indicates that South Korea is off-guard against cyber terrorism.
A full-scale cyber attack may cause pandemonium more dangerous than missiles. The government should allocate additional funds to install a system to protect the cyber territory. Strengthening the anti-hacking capability should get bipartisan support. The military should beef up its anti-hacking cyber command. Few should underestimate the serious implication of the North’s hacking.
The North's cyber terror will become more systematic and organized in view of the chilly inter-Korean relations. The dilemma is few people are capable of protecting themselves against cyber terrorism without a state defense of the external hackers.
A cyber assault is a weaponless war. Like the United States, Korea should regard the cyber territory as the fifth battle field beyond land, sea, air and aerospace.
The military must centralize command of cyberspace operations, organize existing cyber resources and synchronize the defense of key military networks.
Neither the government nor the public should underestimate the seriousness of North Korea's cyber terrorism. A regular anti-cyber terrorist attack drill is necessary.
Cyber terrorism should receive pan-national attention.
