30 May 13. The FBI has seen an increase in cyber-criminals who use online photo-sharing programs to perpetrate scams and harm victims’ computers, says an “intelligence note” published by the Internet Crime Complaint Center on May 30. These criminals advertise vehicles online, but will not provide pictures in the advertisement. They will send photos on request. Sometimes the photo is a single file sent as an e-mail attachment, and sometimes the victim receives a link to an online photo gallery. The photos will often contain malicious software that infects the victims’ computer, directing them to fake Web sites that look nearly identical to the real site where they originally saw the advertisement. The cyber criminals run all aspects of these fake Web sites, including “tech support” or “live chat support,” and any “recommended” escrow services. After the victim agrees to purchase the item and makes the payment, the criminals stop responding to correspondence. The victims never receive any merchandise. (Source: Open Source Information Report/Government Security News)
31 May 13. Odierno: U.S. Closer To Settling Legal Issues Over Cyberdefense. The U.S. is moving closer to addressing legal barriers to using Pentagon resources to protect the nation against cyber attacks, according to Gen. Raymond Odierno, Army chief of staff.
“To protect our infrastructure right now, that’s a Homeland Security issue, not a Department of Defense issue,” Odierno said May 29 during an event sponsored by the Atlantic Council’s Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security. We have to resolve that,” he says. “What are we doing with the Internet? What are we doing to protect ourselves?”
The Pentagon has “severalfold capabilities” that can be used to protect the U.S. against cyber threats, he says. “The issue is how do they want to use those capabilities.” The government has to find a way to do that legally, he says. “It’s starting to get closer to resolution.” The Army has its own cyber issues to resolve, like how to push information down to the lowest level possible. “We have to get information from theater down the squad level,” Odierno says. “In this [current] environment, sometimes squads or platoons make strategic decisions.” (Source: Aviation Week)
07 Jun 13. “Industry first” seeks to address cyber security skills gap
A new scheme aiming to encourage individuals to acquire the much-needed cyber security skills to help protect commerce and infrastructure in the UK has been launched today. In what is believed to be an industry first, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has built an alliance with four other leading IT bodies, to create a Sponsorship Scheme which will facilitate the granting of substantial bursaries for those studying Masters-level degrees in cyber security. The aim is to equip students with skills that they can apply in their current job, or to give them the opportunity to develop a career in a cyber security role. The scheme is being launched through existing MSc courses at De Montfort University, Lancaster University, Plymouth University and University of Warwick. There are plans to expand further in future years.
Hugh Boyes, the IET’s cyber security expert, said: “We surveyed 250 SMEs working in engineering and technology sectors and the results showed that a significant lack of skilled workers was hampering the UK’s fight against cyber-crime.
“As a result, and in support of the Government’s Cyber Security Strategy, we have formed the Alliance, bringing together relevant expert organisations. Our objectives are to ensure that there is a clear career path for cyber security professionals, as well as a flow of high calibre professionals adequate to meet the UK’s strategic needs.
“Cyber security threats affect both major UK employers and their supply chains. In developing this scheme we are encouraging major employers to use it to develop the skills both amongst their own staff and those employed in thei