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[EDITORIALS]Preventing cyber attacks

Published: 21 Jun. 2004, 22:47

It has been disclosed that some of the computer systems of six government institutes were penetrated by hackers. It is shocking that core national institutes which deal with national security issues directly or indirectly, including the Korea Institute of Defense Analysis, National Maritime Police Agency and Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, have been the target of hacking.
Korea, as a country that boasts the world’s largest broadband Internet network distribution, is equipped with advanced Internet infrastructure and international level databases. But the security consciousness of computer users, security system and security-related arrangements lag behind those of advanced countries.
The world is entering an era of cyber intelligence warfare now. Information leakage through hacking goes beyond the dimension of a crime committed by individuals. It has now expanded into a war of life or death among businesses and countries. The object of hacking also has become diversified from personal or financial information to up-to-date business secrets, information on national security and defense intelligence.
The damage from computer hacking is unimaginable. Hackers can open, revise, delete or transfer files stored in the computer they attack as they please via remote control. The reason every country tries hard to develop a security system and anti-hacking specialists is because the consequences of hacking are enormous. It is known that North Korea has a special military unit of hackers.
We also have to approach hacking from the national security level and strengthen preventive measures. The government says we have a complete security system with double or triple firewalls, but the reality is different. Moreover, hacking techniques are developing at a rapid speed nowadays. Thus, we must heighten our security consciousness and invest in the development of a security system and personnel. Laws on hacking prevention and stronger punishment for hackers should be enacted.
The era of the cyber world will unfold soon. If we don’t play the leading role, we will lose international competitiveness. But entering a cyber era is not possible without the support of a complete security system.