Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Cyber Security Threat Posed by a Terrorist Group

Cyber Security Threat Posed by a Terrorist Group Summary Cyber terrorism refers to terrorist attacks that are aimed at computer systems. It is similar to the traditional physical terrorism in its aim of distraction with the difference that it targets computer systems and not human beings and other physical property.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Cyber Security Threat Posed by a Terrorist Group specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This paper highlights possible cyber terror threats in Australia in government agencies and the commercial sector. Possible options over terrorism is then highlighted which include international efforts to curb the vice. The paper recommends independent efforts by institutions, governments and the international community in the war against the vice. Background The history of cyber terrorism spans back to the development of application of internet services that was introduced in the 1970s. The introductory use of the internet was centrally op erated throughout the globe but this was changed with decentralization that resulted from the cold war conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union. The initially restricted use of internet was also liberated towards the year 1990 that allowed private individuals to freely use the internet. The availability of internet together with its terms of usage which are associated with high degree of freedom has been identified as the main reason why it has been transformed by some individuals and groups as a weapon for assault. One of the realized features of the internet usage that makes it a weapon is its accessibility and â€Å"little or no regulation, censorship, or other forms of government control† (Pladna, n.d., p. 3) that offers an unregulated practice. The internet is similarly identified to be affordable and at the same time anonymous that offers opportunities for undertaking activities in the background. These among other features of the internet have been ident ified to form the basis of the cyber terrorism attacks (Pladna, n.d., p. 3). Particularly identified attacks of this nature have included hacking of data in other entity’s accounts that are normally aimed at causing harm to the systems and even a subsequent damage to the parties. An example of such attacks would include gaining an unauthorized access to a country’s security system with the aim of compromising the system.Advertising Looking for essay on political sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It can also take the form of compromising information of an institution with the motive of causing harm. An attack can, for instance, be made with respect to the information system of a health service institution. This takes the form of altering information about patients with a subsequent effect of causing an inappropriate medication that can cause harm to the institution’s patients. The examples illustrate the two categories of cyber terrorism, â€Å"effect based and internet based† (Pladna, n.d., p. 4). Cyber terrorism attacks are said to be effect based if they are primarily meant to cause fear among individuals. Though the attacks are based on computer systems, their effects are normally similar to those of physical terrorism. Internet based cyber terrorism are on the other hand intended to cause damage rather that fear. This form of attack is associated with compromising systems of an entity so as to cause loses due to system malfunctioning. Cyber terrorism can thus be associated with intentions to establish â€Å"loss of integrity, loss of availability, loss of confidentiality and physical damage† (Pladna, n.d., p. 4). Application and subsequent development of cyber attacks have similarly been associated with development of technology and the globalization effect that has stemmed up efforts to curb the traditional physical terrorism. Factors such as high security along country boarders that has for instance restricted the activities of terrorists in the international concept has seen terrorists resort to the use of the internet to attain their objective of causing destruction. Contrary to the restricted across boarder physical movements due to security, the internet does not have any form of geographical limitation thus allowing access to any country.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Cyber Security Threat Posed by a Terrorist Group specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This has particularly lured terrorists to the cyber attacks. Engagements in illegal activities that have also been significantly associated with terrorist groups such as drug trafficking and even smuggling of illegal arms have witnessed a corporation between the terrorists and other parties such as computer specialists among others to help in ensuring the success of these illegal activities. Accessing syst ems of other parties such as a country’s security system for example reveal loopholes which can then be used to smuggle the commodities past security forces. Cyber attacks can in this manner be used to disrupt systems by causing inefficiencies which then allows for the illegal intentions of the groups. Reports have also indicated the use of cyber attacks to defraud individuals of money through credit cards. Intelligence has also revealed that the internet has been converted into a hub for terrorist group as a centre through which they â€Å"communicate, conduct operational planning, proselytize, recruit and train to obtain logistical and financial support† (Pladna, n.d., p. 5). Developments and increased level of cyber terrorism has adequately extended to the dependence of technocrats with individual groups either hiring computer specialists or training ones for their operations. The developments have also led to transformations of targets to make government institutio ns and corporate entities as the main targets of the terrorist attacks (Pladna, n.d., p. 5). Possible threats facing Australia due to cyber terrorism Cyber attacks have been significantly identified in Australia to be majorly attached to political motives in addition to the creation of â€Å"harm and the spread of fear to people† (Beggs and Warren, 2009, p. 2) with the aim of influencing either domestic or global activities. Example of access to official data from an institution or an agency that is then used to launch an attack by altering system operations which would then lead to an accident such as an explosion are for example highlighted in Australia as a possible cyber terrorism. This would be due to the expected level of harm and fear together with destruction that such moves would create. The supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) is for example identified as the potential target for cyber attacks. The system is used to manage distribution of commodities in the country, some of which are primarily essential.Advertising Looking for essay on political sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This involves the distribution of materials such as â€Å"water, gas and electricity† as well as the transportation of waste materials for disposal (Beggs and Warren, 2009, p. 2). The SCADA system has at the same time been transformed to depend on modern technology for its operations. Integration of modern software as well as hardware has been the characteristics of operations of the system. There is therefore a possibility of security breach with respect to the system that can be used to launch attacks on the operations of the system. This is actually an imminent threat owing to the fact that such attacks have been realized in Australia in the past few years. Cases such as attacks on â€Å"the polish tram system in 2008, Estonia in 2007, SQL Slammer in 2003, Queensland in 2000 and Gazprom in 1999† (Beggs and Warren, 2009, p. 2) are illustrations that brings the possibility of similar actions. The application of technology to operate the systems makes it liable for man ipulation that can then lead to harmful incidents. An individual who gains access into the system can for example greatly increase the pressure with which the fluids such as water, gas and even waste materials are transported in order to cause explosive busts of the transporting vessels. This would for example lead to immediate harm of individuals at the explosion site as well as the curtailed delivery of services that will be interrupted. There will also be the impression of incompetence of the system that will be created in public opinion as well as extended fear of possible breaches in other services that can be very dangerous (Beggs and Warren, 2009, p. 4). Another possible cyber terrorism threat to Australia is its corporate system. The level of vulnerability that has been realized in a variety of institution has raised alarm over the safety of the business sector in the country. Experience of attacks that have been realized with respect to the country’s infrastructure h as a possibility of shifting to commercial organizations. The breach in the commercial sector can take two forms, attacks on organization as the main target or attacks on systems in financial institutions with the aim of extracting money from people’s accounts. An attack on an organization can take the form of paralyzing the information system of the organization which can at the same time be accompanied by subsequent harmful activities by the terrorist. In either way, a disruption, financial loss and fear with respect to security will have been realized. Attacks which are aimed at accessing people’s accounts for transferring money from such accounts will on the other hand have effects on both the institutions as well as the individual customers. Similar impacts such as instilled sense of insecurity and fear as well as lost trust will be realized due to the attacks. Fears of such cyber attacks on the country’s security systems such as the armed forces have also been raised. This would however be more serious with possibility of subsequent physical terrorism attacks. Though the short term effects of the different attacks may vary, there is a long term impact that such cyber attacks impose to Australia and any other country that is faced with threats of cyber attacks. There is the issue of economic instability that may result from the fear that is occasionally induced by the cyber attacks. Individual account holders whose accounts are hacked and misappropriated will for example suffer from economic instability that might be spilled over to the country’s economy especially if a significant number of accounts are compromised and the funds diverted outside the country. Attacks on corporate institutions and government agencies are also characterized with an increased level of insecurity that can scare away investors to the disadvantage of the country’s economy (McDonald, 2010, p. 1). Such threats have similarly been realized in oth er countries such as Britain. Though Britain never took a drastic measure following an attack which it realized in association with cyber terrorism in the year 2005, it was recognized as a possible future threat that is worth consideration. Cyber attack threats have also been identified in the United States though no significant countermeasures have been publicly outlined (McDonald, 2010, p. 1). Options against cyber terrorism The extensiveness of the use of computers that provides room for international attacks from any part of the globe offers restrictions over independency of states and nations in the war against cyber terror. One of the options that can be employed to curb the attacks is the combined effort of the international community against the vice. Use of conventions such as the one that was established in Europe in the year 2004 is thus an alternative. Under these provisions, standards can be outlined that can then be universally used to regulate the use of the internet for harmful purposes (Rollins and Wilson, 2007, p. 21). A comprehensive international collaboration among investigators and prosecution teams in cases of cyber attacks have also been identified as an option to controlling the practice. The need to control the use of the internet due to the attacks is however countered by the fact that the wide use of the internet is identified to be of importance (Escorial, 2009, p. 4). Recommendations Following the global threat over cyber attacks, a globally established body is required to ensure appropriate regulation and prosecution with respect to the terrorists. Individual countries are also supposed to take measures to protect their institutions from such attacks by ensuring standards for safer systems. Individual institutions are also supposed to strengthen their system and immediately report any identified attacks. References Beggs, C and Warren, M. (2009) Safeguarding Australia from cyber- terrorism: a proposed cyber terrorism SCADA risk f ramework for industry adoption. [Online] Available from http://ro.ecu.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1004context=iswsei-redir=1#search=%22cyber%20terrorism%20threats%20australia%22 Escorial, San. (2009) CoE- OAS/CICTE Conference on terrorism and cyber security, conclusions. [Online] Available from: coe.int/t/dlapil/codexter/3_CODEXTER/Working_Documents/Conclusions%20CoE%20OAS-CICTE%20Conference.pdf McDonald, T. (2010) Governments on alert for cyber terror threat. [Online] Available from: abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/10/19/3042762.htm. Pladna, B. (n.d.) Cyber terrorism and information security. [Online] Available from: infosecwriters.com/text_resources/pdf/BPladna_Cyber_Terrorism.pdf. Rollins, J and Wilson, C. (2007) Terrorists capabilities for cyber attack: overview and policy issues. [Online] Available from: fas.org/sgp/crs/terror/RL33123.pdf

Sunday, February 23, 2020

Figure from American History Ronald Reagan Scholarship Essay

Figure from American History Ronald Reagan - Scholarship Essay Example The paper says that security is key to the stability of the American economy. This had an overall effect of increased economic prosperity. However, with the recent trends of Arab uprising and American intervention, there arises a security concern directly linked to terrorism. The motive behind US intervention is unknown, but arming locals to topple governments after which the recovery of such weapons becomes impossible is a serious issue which calls for a decisive solution to the problem of terrorism. Global inflation is another issue with which I would want Reagan to give me his views upon. America plays an important role in its involvement in international affairs and a curious issue I would want to discuss with him is the increasing Chinese presence in developing countries and whether this issue undermines American interests abroad in any way and if so what policies would he have implemented to contain china’s increasing influence in those spheres. To sum up, I think Reagan is unique in that he is able to elaborate on the issue of security more amicably than anyone else. His policies would be much effective in solving the current global problems that the world is experiencing such as; inflation, global warming, terrorism and the proliferation of arms in the unstable Arab world. Security has always been on top of the priorities of America, thus it would be prudent to get involved in an intellectual discourse with someone well versed in security matters. That person would be Ronald Reagan!!!

Friday, February 7, 2020

Taxation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 5

Taxation - Essay Example For this the taxation system of the transportation system needs to be evaluated in the UK in order to conclude the actual potential of the recommendation for the proposal. There have been different taxation systems in the UK transportation especially for the new mode of registration tax and fuel tax. Through this there has been increase in the revenue collection of the UK Government that is utilised for the development of the transportation system. This increase is well illustrated below: The proposal was developed when Amanda Shmit was unable to get certain services due to transportation system in the UK. The fact is that there is already a huge amount of tax imposed upon the aviation sector in the UK and any further increase would not be feasible enough. From the UK Air Passenger Duty (APD), there have been total receipts of  £864 million in 2004 and this fund was utilised for the development of the infrastructure in the UK (IATA, 2006). The aviation sector is the highest tax collecting mode than other sectors. Now additional ‘1p per mile’ will increase the burden in the aviation sector and there will be additional taxation for the consumers, which is not a positive sign. The UK Government is more focused upon the ‘Carbon Tax’ that has gained importance in recent times. The 1 p tax increase per mile seems to be another taxation system that does not align with the carbon taxation (Zimmer, 2008). The current transportation sector tax is utilised for different purposes. The increase in the burden of taxation will not solve the problems; instead it might provide rise to evasion of certain transportation tax. The utilisation of the road transportation of the UK is illustrated below. The proposal recommended by Amanda about the taxation for the evaluation of the taxation system of the UK Government related to the transportation sector is not a

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Crime Increase Essay Example for Free

Crime Increase Essay It is true that many countries have been experiencing the growth of crime rate. In response many countries are building new prisons, but they are just increase the number of inmates instead of solving this problem. Perhaps, we need to look back at the roots of this issue and facing the possible causes. The TV and computer games are considered to be one of the reasons of crime level and violence increase. see more:essay on crimes Violent actions, murders in virtual worlds or on TV screen are changing our vision of morale. I believe, that it is unrealistic to blame only the media. It is believed that the main cause of crime activity is social inequality. A child from rich family should makes much less efforts to get education and well paid job than children from poor families, because his parents are able to pay for his education. In addition, many children from unsecured families are forced to work from the very young age to support their families. What is more, many teenagers can be addicted to drugs, what in its turn can put the end to their education and further development. Solving above-mentioned problems are not easy. We need to reduce a gap between the layers of society by providing more chances for poor people to become wealthier. But not only the government should be involved in this, business structures should also take a part, creating jobs and improving education process. In relation to the drug spreading problem, I believe the government should start from itself and fight against the drug corruption. I believe that the crime level will continue to rise unless, particularly in cities, we find and apply an effective way to solve these issues. Perhaps, we should start from involving business to education of students and building theirs careers. Business will get more qualified workers, the government will get more taxpayers and everybody win.

Monday, January 20, 2020

Political Activism in Turkey, Morocco, Egypt and Greece :: Essays on Politics

Political Activism in Turkey, Morocco, Egypt and Greece Welcome to yet another speech, through the past four reports or 137 I have studied student political participation and activism and I hope through my speeches you have learned at least a little on the topic. As well as the role it plays in culture as we defined it way back in Turkey. In Turkey we defined culture as a dynamic social construct both exhibited and defined by beliefs, traditions, values, history and language. Now, as I go through my speech I'll cover a little bit about my learning plan and what that outlined in this study, compare and contrast my observations and assessments of Turkey, Morocco, Egypt and Greece, analyze the cultural impact of the student movement through out these countries and conclude with what I have taken from this study especially in regards to the 5 th country represented in our travels, that being the US. I'll begin with my learning plan. In reviewing my learning plan I am surprised by how accurately it explained and represented what I came to study in the past few months. Especially given it was conceived August 8 th the night before our picnic with Pat, with absolutely very little background for understanding the topic. In looking at my plan, it outlined studying student political participation and activism and students relation to political institutions in each country. All the while, allowing for a redefinition of political participation according to the culture being studied. This added an objectivity which I really tried to maintain throughout. The main components that I have studied throughout all of the countries are to analyze the different views placed on ideals such as freedom of speech, movement and association, study the history of student political participation in each country and the form that participation has taken, define the inflammatory issues in each country and lastly, gage the level of political participation. As I was rereading my speeches the other night I was pleased to see all of my speeches remained focused on these questions. So hopefully today's speech is going just as well. Now I am going to compare and contrast my observations and analysis of each of the four countries. To do this I decided that I wanted to have a bit more of a quantitative method. Therefore I went online to Freedom House and look up a little extra information.

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Management Accounting Report Essay

In decision making process ambiguity, variability and uncertainty are often faced. For this reason Risk Analysis is always part of any decision making process. Even if the access to information is unprecedented even then future can’t be predicted accurately. For this reason Monte Carlo simulation is used which provides all the possible outcomes of decisions, access the impacts of risks and allow better decision making under uncertain situations. Monte Carlo Simulation: It is a computerized mathematical technique based on broad class of computer algorithms which allow people and organisations to calculate risks and hence helps in better decision making. Monte Carlo Simulation can also be termed as a problem solving technique to calculate probability of outcomes by using random variables and multiple trials which are termed as simulations (Berg, 2004). Monte Carlo Simulation is used by professionals in engineering, medicine, physics, chemists, project management, manufacturing, research and development, environmental specialists, oil and gas and several business functions. This is a reflective report in which case study of Fennel Design Project of Laura Watson company is used to predict the demand of greeting cards. The aim of the report is to speculate the situation of the Fennel Design project and also to provide a base for the companies experiencing these situations. This report uses discrete data of continuous range In this report discrete data of continuous range is used. Example of discrete data is when a coin flips in air, it have two possibilities either head or tail. Whereas, a running engine might have many temperature changes at different time intervals which is an example of continuous data. Laura Watson is a new company and so can also face these uncertainties as they don’t have any idea of when to produce, when to produce, supply and demand analysis and the situation which drives these factors. For this reason Monte Carlo Simulation is used to calculate predicted demand, risk analysis in order to provide company with useful information which then can be utilized to make timely decision making. This report is divided into three main parts. In Monte Carlo Simulation we can take as many amounts of trials to get an accurate answer. But, in the given casestudy, business manager’s Alex and Laura took one thousand trials. Number of trials increases the profit probabilities and helps in getting close results and reduces the chances of risks. In this question we have to calculate the price of the cards and for this we used Descriptive Analysis Function in Microsoft Excel. This Function automatically calculates all statistical data like mean, median, mode and standard deviation. Whereas, in task two WHAT IF analysis helps us in getting the results within the given number of trials. It creates thee situations or results which are base case scenario, best case scenario and worst case scenario. When the values of these situations are changed answer automatically changes. It is very helpful for managers in decision making. In task three risk simulation function and random functions are used which makes a balance between mean and standard deviation given in the projected demand. Rand command is used to calculate the cost of parts, random discreet method is used to. Variance Reduction is used to minimize non accurate profits. These all function enables to calculate price and predict risk. In this report every function is calculated independently to make the process easy to understand and clear. By using Monte Carlo Simulation we have calculated all the possible parameters required in the case study and also predicted the risk. It helps the managers to make quick and accurate decisions. Bibliography Berg, A. B. (2004). Markov Chain Monte Carlo Simulation and their Statistical Analysis. New Jersey: World Scientific.