Netspionage

This book begins by laying out a history of espionage that clearly shows that when a new technology or technique becomes available to the information gatherers in public and private sectors, they can quickly be adopted for Netspionage use. It then moves on to describe how the Internet and associated technologies have already revolutionized the collection and analysis of competitive information. The convergence of dependency on networked and exploitation tools (often propagated by "hackers," "cyberpunks," and even intelligence agencies) has already resulted in several incidents that foreshadow the perilous future. Close study of these incidents demonstrates how difficult yet how important it is to confront the challenges of "netspionage" and its less intrusive cousins. The authors present a set of the known incidents and then outline protective measures that will reduce the potential and consequences of netspionage.

Unlike most security books, this one is written for managers and executives in non-protection roles of the organization, since they are the ones who must take a leadership role in safeguarding the information assets of the networked enterprise.



*Practical guide written from front-line experience
*Explains the evolution of information collection and why it has never been easier
*Highlights the tools of the trade and how they can be put to best use

Audience: Information security professionals and security managers.

* Practical guide written from front-line experience

* Explains the evolution of information collection and why it has never been easier

* Highlights the tools of the trade and how they can be put to best use

At the end of the 20th century it has become clear that the key asset that provides competitive advantage to an organization is the total array of knowledge and information available to it. Increasingly, the knowledge and sensitive proprietary information are generated processed, stored, transmitted and obtained via networks and computer systems. "Netspionage" as described in the title is defined as network enabled espionage, and in our information systems world, it is an exciting way of looking extending the old practice of competitive intelligence gathering. This new, computerized and information-dependent world is heavily dependent on the web, networks, and software technology. The "information gatherers of this new age are exploiting of dependency on technology for personal, corporate and national gain.

The global Internet has been transformed from an academic playground to a medium for international business and communication. Netspionage educates information security professionals on how the internet increases risks to sensitive and proprietary information. Boni and Kovacich give the reader an outstanding insight into real and potential cyber-based threats and then offer a sound approach to deal with such threats. At a time when competitive intelligence collection, industrial espionage and economic espionage via the Internet is increasing, Netspionage raises awareness and understanding of the problems and concerns regarding the protection of sensitive corporate and government information. This book can be of significant benefit to business, government, the legal community, and law enforcement by showing how to protect against criminals, terrorists, and intelligence agencies who exploit the new "cyber world".

As hackers have demonstrated, computers and networked systems of every design are at risk of unauthorized intrusions. Already there have been cases that demonstrate that organizations are at risk to rivals willing to exploit the huge vulnerabilities that frequently exist in even the best systems. The recent revelations by the U.S. Department of Defense that Russian hackers have conducted wide ranging attacks against a variety of sensitive but unclassified systems is proof that the concept of "netspionage" has already permeated governmental ranks. However great the risk to defense systems, the fact is that network enabled espionage, spying and competitive intelligence gathering will become one of the most common tactics practiced by commercial organizations in the 21st century to find and obtain the information they need to survive..

This book begins by laying out a history of espionage that clearly shows that when a new technology or technique becomes available to the information gatherers in public and private sectors. It then moves on to describe how the Internet and associated technologies have already revolutionized the collection and analysis of competitive information. The convergence of dependency on networked and exploitation tools (often propagated by "hackers", "cyberpunks" and even intelligence agencies) has already resulted in several incidents that foreshadow the perilous future. Close study of these incidents demonstrates how difficult yet how important it is to confront the challenges of "netspionage" and it's less intrusive cousins. The author's present a set of the known incidents and then outline protective measures that will reduce the potential and consequences of netspionage.

Booknews

As the Internet has evolved from an academic playground to an arena of global commerce, say Boni, in information protection, and Kovacich, in security, spies have wriggled out from under the bed and into the PC. They highlight the dangers to governments, companies, and professions and explain how to protect against criminals, terrorists, and intelligence agencies. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Dr. Kovacich has over 40 years of security, criminal and civil investigations, anti-fraud, information warfare, and information systems security experience in both government as a special agent and as a manager in international corporations. Dr. Kovacich currently resides on an island in Washington state where he continues to write, lecture and conduct research relative to information systems security, information warfare defensive and offensive operations, high-technology crime and techno-terrorism.