Cyber Warfare

The Stuxnet worm has been around for awhile and talked about in public forums. It has not been given large public outcry until now. The worm is worldwide with a concentration in the middle and far east. The prime target appeares to be Iran.

The worm enters through gaps in Windows security and searches for Seimens Company software code in particular. Seimens is a leading worldwide company in the construction of nuclear faciliities, power plants, manufacturing plants, and sopisticated administration facilities. The worm may possibly be unleashed either by command or by preset criteria to be met.

Numerous scientists are still undecided if this consitutes a terrorist event or is an attack by a nation/state. Either way, the recipient appears to be the Iranian nuclear program.

Stuxnet is a military grade worm and is the first to be able to cause physical damage to a facility. By changing the code in a nuclear system( as easy as shutting off a valve) you may get a catestrophic event. It could do the same to commercial systems and literally shut down a country.

Cyber warfare is here to stay and capable nations are working on both offensive and defensive capabilities. Don't be surprised to find that the next large war may be decided by a worm and not armies.