Technology & Innovation

Egypt goes dark: First time an entire country unplugged from Internet

By Jordan Robertson, the AP

From Jordan Robertson, the AP:  Egypt has apparently done what many technologists thought was unthinkable for any country with a major Internet economy: It unplugged itself entirely from the Internet to try and silence dissent.

NATO networks vulnerable to cyber threat: US

By AFP

Russia says Stuxnet could have caused new Chernobyl

By Reuters

From Reuters:  Russia said on Wednesday that NATO should investigate last year’s computer virus attack on a Russian-built nuclear reactor in Iran, saying the incident could have triggered a nuclear disaster on the scale of Chernobyl.

Dept. SecDef meeting with NATO and EU to improve cyber security

By Jim Garamone, defense.gov

From Jim Garamone, defense.gov:  Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III is meeting with NATO and European Union officials here to strengthen cyberdefense capabilities. This is Lynn’s second visit to the alliance in four months to discuss cybersecurity. “It’s an opportunity for Deputy Secretary Lynn to meet and discuss with NATO and EU leaders ways […]

Franklin Kramer: US Should Aim for Cyber Resilience

Vice Chair of the Atlantic Council and former Assistant Defense Secretary for International Affairs Franklin D. Kramer delivered a speech at the Black Hat Federal Briefings in Arlington, VA. In his speech, Kramer reinforced the need for the United States to strengthen its information technology infrastructure. The full text of the speech can be found […]

Obama Administration’s Cyber Report Card

By the National Security Cyberspace Institute

From the National Security Cyberspace Institute:  We’ve awarded decidedly mixed grades to President Obama at the halfway point of his term.

China’s buying spree raises hope, and fear in Europe

By Charlemagne, the Economist

From Charlemagne, the Economist:  On his tour of Europe this month, China’s vice-premier, Li Keqiang, announced his country’s plan to buy cheap European government bonds, as Chinese companies purchased shares in European petrochemical ventures, tens of thousands of cars and even a few million euros’ worth of Spanish wine and ham to top off the […]

Estonia develops volunteer cyber defense force and considers drafting techies

By Tom Gjelten, National Public Radio

The Year of the Worm

By David Smith

In a few days, we usher out the year of the tiger and welcome the year of the rabbit.  But we could as well dub 2010—and 2011 also—the year of the worm.  Stuxnet and Wikileaks are just two examples of how worms—computer and human—are crawling into our lives.  The repercussions will resonate throughout 2011 and […]