“Lone wolves” could ignite disputes between countries

Aug 21, 2012 11:43 GMT  ·  By
LWSC experts warn about the implications of cyberattacks carried out by lone wolves
   LWSC experts warn about the implications of cyberattacks carried out by lone wolves

Cyberattacks such as the ones launched by hackers against the sites of the Australian Security Intelligence Organization's (ASIO) and the Defence Signals Directorate (DSD) in protest against the surveillance law proposed by authorities could have great implications on legislative frameworks and national security policies.

In an article published in The Interpreter, Clint Arizmendi and Chloe Diggins of the Land Warfare Studies Center (LWSC) – part of Australia’s Directorate of Army Research and Analysis – warn that the politically motivated attacks launched by unsanctioned non-state cyber actors (UNCAs) should not be taken lightly.

“When the interests and values of UNCAs align with the strategic objectives of the state, they can act as willing or unwitting proxies. Their actions also have the potential to undermine diplomatic and political processes, cripple state infrastructure and act as a flashpoint for cyber or conventional war,” the experts explain.

They highlight the fact that the number of attacks carried out by a hacker against the infrastructures of another state, especially a competitor state, is growing.

The actions of these unmanageable “lone wolves” – leading to the disruption of federal investigations and the facilitation of cyber jihadists – pose a number of challenges for a country. Furthermore, states which receive unsanctioned support from such hackers risk being accused of ordering the attacks.

LWSC representatives believe that the lack of proper cybersecurity solutions and extradition treaties combined with the advanced exploitation techniques make it even more difficult to deal with such actors.

They stress that the government has made some progress in this sector with the development of the Cyber Security Operations Center and the establishment of the Cyber Security Policy and Coordination Committee. However, they claim that these efforts must be continued with the introduction of Australia’s first ever Cyber White Paper.