Cyber attacks should be serious concern for policymakers

Attacks on computer systems could be "catastrophic" in combination with other disasters, according to a report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Cyber attacks: should be a serious concern for policymakers says report
Cyber attacks: should be a serious concern for policymakers says report

The report, which forms part of wider OECD examination into "future global shocks", such as the failure of the world’s financial system or large-scale pandemics, said cyber attacks should be a serious concern for policymakers.

The report, written by Professor Peter Sommer of the London School of Economics and Dr Ian Brown of Oxford University, said: "Cyber weaponry will play a key role alongside more conventional and psychological attacks by nation states in future warfare."

It warned that if cyber attacks occurred at the same time as another form of disaster or attack, then "perfect storm" conditions could exist.  

The report, however, said: "A largely military [response] to cyber security is a mistake. Because it is often difficult to be certain who is attacking you from cyberspace, defence by deterrence does not work."

"More effective is increasing the resilience and robustness of critical systems, and societies in general. Adding redundancy to systems allows some service to be continued while damaged components are isolated, repaired and replaced."

The report follows heightened concerns about online attacks, after hacking protests by "hacktivist" group Anonymous were conducted against Amazon, Visa and Mastercard after they stopped allowing donations to WikiLeaks.

In October last year, the Government announced it would be providing £650m for a cyber security programme, co-ordinated by the Office of Cyber Security and Information assurance (Ocsia).

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