Tag Archives: cyber security challenge

IMF Becomes Latest Hacking Victim

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The IMF has become the latest major organisation to be targeted by a sophisticated cyber-attack.  The attack which started earlier this year was designed to install software creating a, ‘digital insider presence’. An internal IMF email revealed that, ‘suspicious file transfers had been detected’. According to the New York Times emails and other sensitive documents were hacked into.

The attack is believed to have taken place over several months. The IMF was reluctant to give details about the attack but they did confirm an incident was being investigated. They also said the fund remained fully active. However, according to the Metro, one unnamed IT official at the organisation described the attack as a ‘very major breach’. Cyber security experts have speculated that a foreign government is behind the attack.

The attack follows similar incidents at Sony, Google and Citigroup during the last few months. The FBI has said it is planning a major step up in efforts to combat cyber-attacks. CIA director Leon Panetta told the US congress earlier this week that he fears a major cyber-attack which cuts off power, security and government systems.

 

Actor Monty Burgess on The Cyber Security Challenge.

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1) Tell us about the Cyber Security Challenge

The Cyber Security Challenge is a series of online games and competitions that test the cyber security abilities of individuals and teams.

I’d read about the Cyber Security Challenge on the BBC website. I was specifically interested in the forensics challenge, run by the US Department of Defence. Basically I was just curious as to the types of challenges they would set up.

2) How did you get into computing?

I’ve been a computer user since I was quite young. My dad, my brother and I used to write programs in BASIC on our first computer. They weren’t particularly sophisticated, but it was fun, and all very new.

My knowledge of computer security just developed over the years really, through curiosity, wanting to learn how to better defend systems, and to understand the workings of viruses and malware.

3) You are also an actor, how did you get into acting?

That’s a difficult question to answer, as there hasn’t really been a time when I haven’t been working towards being an actor. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do since I was young.

4) What is the main problem with a computer’s security?

Harsh as it sounds, the main problem with a computer’s security is generally it’s user. People aren’t very security minded. We take the rapid development of technology (Ipads, mobile phones, android devices, etc, etc.) very much for granted and our first concern is to have and enjoy, rather than have, secure and enjoy.

You only need to do a quick whip round of your friends on Facebook or Twitter, and you’ll find plenty of personal information online – dates of birth, relatives names, email addresses, locations.

5) Do you plan to do more in computing or is acting calling?

I have no current plans to change careers. As enjoyable as the challenges of forensics are, first and foremost I’m an actor.

6) What’s next for you?

I’ve just finished filming on the comedy ‘Betsy and Leonard’ as well as a commercial for Amnesty International. I will be filming a comedy feature in the next month or so. I appeared in a project called ‘Him’ by Confugium Film a while ago, and they are having an industry screening, so I’m keen to see the result.