14 DAY TRIAL // In case you were wondering what has been happening around the world in cyber-security, here's a piece of news coming straight from Australia! The Australian Crime Commission is now trying to get the best wiretapping software they can. As ComputerWorld informs, they want to acquire a fully integrated telephone and data interception, recording and monitoring system that enables the legally authorized interception, storage, analysis and distribution of a number of communication types. These include mobile-fax, data, SMS and MMS, e-mail, web-mail IMs and VOIP.
Surely, when employing wiretap technology there is always the question of privacy. Is security more important than violating one's intimacy? Now, the ACC, just like any other government body will state that they are not barging into anyone's private life without serious reason. But then again, they have the state supporting them, and it's very hard to go against the state and win, especially when it comes to security matters.
Furthermore, false positives will always be an issue that crime fighters will have to pay. And when tapping is involved, false positives will surely lead to privacy violation, but then again, they can't afford not to check it out. So, if you wish to look on the bright side, then just think that some conversations are going to be overheard, but at least some criminals are going to get nabbed or some schemes stopped. No government-powered organization will ever tap anyone with no reason. Not only will that bury them in data, but it will also cost a lot of resources. I'd like to believe that monitoring, though it seems unpleasant to some, is a good security tool!
And as seen on ComputerWorld, the ACC aims to bring together all arms of intelligence gathering and law enforcement in the fight against serious and organized criminal activity, so there you have it!