UNITED STATES:

Cyber Fraud Set to Soar this Christmas (CRN)

Cyber shoplifting is set to cause a major headache for retailers over Christmas, according to a report from security consultancy NTA Monitor. The consultancy reported that by manipulating payment details on the back-end payment gateway, cyber shoplifters can change the amount they have paid for items, meaning the retailer is out of pocket and is forced to make up the difference.

Officials Lack Policy For Taking Offensive In Cyber War (National Journal)

The United States lacks a fully defined policy and legal framework for using offensive cyberwarfare capabilities against adversaries, making it difficult for policymakers to determine the origin of computer attacks and when pre-emptive action is justified against criminals, terrorists and hostile foreign nations, according to current and former government officials.

Recent Cyber Attacks to be Discussed by International Defence Ministry and Defence Industry (PR Canada)

A panel of experts and representatives from leading global military powers and NATO will meet in the U.K. at Defence IQ’s Cyber Warfare conference in January to discuss the future of Cyber Warfare protection. “In the 21st century it's not just about tanks and artillery,” said NATO spokesman James Appathurai. The conference will receive insights from the U.S. Air Force’s latest policy from Major General David Senty, and operational perspectives from Mrs Heli Tiirmaa-Klaa, a specialist in the U.K.’s MoD.

Cyber Attack has Pentagon Worried (Chicago Tribune)

Senior military leaders took the exceptional step of briefing President George W. Bush last week on a severe and widespread electronic attack on Defense Department computers that may have originated in Russia, posing unusual concern among commanders and potential implications for national security. Defense officials would not describe the extent of damage inflicted on military networks. But they said the attack struck hard at networks within U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan, and affected computers in combat zones. The attack also penetrated at least one highly protected classified network.

CHINA:

China's Cyber Warriors a Challenge for India (Asia Times)

India's External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, in a speech to the National Defense College in New Delhi on November 3, said China posed a new set of challenges to India with its growing capabilities in outer space and its frenzied search for new resources. But an equally potent and dangerous challenge the minister overlooked is the new threat of Chinese cyber-nationalism.

The Chinese Cyber-assault on America (Spectator)

The response by different governments to this cyber challenge has been shambolic with a notable lack of a coherent strategy. That in turn has fed the growth of organized crime on the web because it is seen as a crime with almost no likelihood of punishment. In the Web underground today it is possible to buy almost any type of cyber attack service from bespoke viruses to cyber mercenaries who will hack and steal to order.

EUROPE:

Europe Adopts New Cyber Crime Agenda (SC Magazine)

The European Union has adopted the European Commission's strategy on cyber crime, and called for better co-operation between businesses and the police. Over the next five years the EC strategy will introduce steps for closer co-operation and information exchange between law enforcement authorities and the private sector.

WORLD:

Bank Probes Cyber Attacks (Financial Times)

The World Bank has commissioned an external review of its information technology networks following a series of cyber attacks on its computer systems. The bank said it was launching a "comprehensive external review" to examine its systems and cyber security practices. It said the recent incidents had not hit the more sensitive parts of its operations but admitted names and numbers associated with bank accounts had been stored on an unsecure external network.