The mental models of espionage have changed forever thanks to the internet and the resulting cyber domain. As more and more businesses and governments move aggressively into digital models of operations, more and more digital assets evolve. Many of those digital assets have substantial value and as such they become targets of acts of espionage.
No individual or organization is immune.
Mid-January 2017 news agencies reported that two individuals were arrested by Italian authorities. They were changed with cyber espionage against prominent politicians and business people, including former Italian prime ministers Matteo Renzi and Mario Monti.
Just recently, the French defense minister warned his country that it is not immune to cyber espionage.
Many experts believe that cyber espionage is a growing threat, and on the opposite side of the equation it is a growing market. They are backed up by figures from the FBI that reported a sharp increase in cyber economic espionage cases — up 53 percent. In fact, they launched a nationwide awareness campaign a while back.
The sale of sensitive information collected during cyber espionage campaigns appears to be in high demand. So are concerns that a hybrid model of cyber extortion and espionage is evolving: Sensitive or damaging information is stolen from an individual or an organization. Those behind the theft make contact and demand payment, or they will release the information.
A second model is also creating concerns. In that model, those behind the attack steal the sensitive or damaging information and release it, timing it with bets on the organization's stock decline — market manipulation.
The threat is real. The consequences can be significant. This is one of the many areas of cyber defense that must be bolstered to protect national security.
