Large Scale Cyber-Attack Scenario

[Doc Maker]

In April, South Korea was the victim of a coordinated cyberattack from North Korea. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/...y.html?hpid=z3

The US is the victim of denial of service attacks on a daily basis from Russia and China, while reading this article I began to think that this is really the only feasible way for an enemy to attack the US. Create internal chaos and civil distress and make your enemy turn inward. For now, we own the shipping lanes, the airspace and our Northern border (at least.) Except that our military is technologically integrated to a disastrous degree. A strategic launch of a combined cyber warfare plan on the CONUS would send the US into more than a depression, we would enter a whole new era of potential civil war. It's partly our fault, of course. We spilled to much fuel in the last decade, using spin doctored language and political wedge issues to distract ourselves from any external threats. A massive network disruption by an invisible enemy would light the fuse.

You've prepped, trained and planned. So, here's my scenario...

A Sino-Russian network attack has shut down the following systems in North America (US/Can/Mex):
Communications-
Cell phones, internet, TV and satellite uplinks are all terminated.
Transportation-
FAA ATC systems off line. No air travel; GPS is possible; Shipping manifests deleted; fuel refineries go offline; Rail switches offline.
Utilities-
A virus, similar to the one used on Iran (Stuxnet,) causes all US reactors to shut down; power grids are taken offline and potable water facilities are contaminated when pumps are shut down.
Supplies-
Local food only for at least six months; Medical care is rudimentary; barter system is in place for six months.

After the initial attack, there is the usual rioting and civil disorder. This settles down after five weeks or so and becomes a generally high level of crime. The mid-West, sorry to say, dries out because water is scarce in the large farms. As a result, the East and West coasts become disconnected and information flow is unreliable. This means that most of us have no idea what happened or who launched the attack.

So, what are your thoughts on cyberwar and dealing with the aftermath?

(I tried to keep the parameters broad for expanded discussion.)
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[VooDoo6Actual]

In April, South Korea was the victim of a coordinated cyberattack from North Korea. http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/...y.html?hpid=z3

The US is the victim of denial of service attacks on a daily basis from Russia and China, while reading this article I began to think that this is really the only feasible way for an enemy to attack the US. Create internal chaos and civil distress and make your enemy turn inward. For now, we own the shipping lanes, the airspace and our Northern border (at least.) Except that our military is technologically integrated to a disastrous degree. A strategic launch of a combined cyber warfare plan on the CONUS would send the US into more than a depression, we would enter a whole new era of potential civil war. It's partly our fault, of course. We spilled to much fuel in the last decade, using spin doctored language and political wedge issues to distract ourselves from any external threats. A massive network disruption by an invisible enemy would light the fuse.

You've prepped, trained and planned. So, here's my scenario...

A Sino-Russian network attack has shut down the following systems in North America (US/Can/Mex):
Communications-
Cell phones, internet, TV and satellite uplinks are all terminated.
Transportation-
FAA ATC systems off line. No air travel; GPS is possible; Shipping manifests deleted; fuel refineries go offline; Rail switches offline.
Utilities-
A virus, similar to the one used on Iran (Stuxnet,) causes all US reactors to shut down; power grids are taken offline and potable water facilities are contaminated when pumps are shut down.
Supplies-
Local food only for at least six months; Medical care is rudimentary; barter system is in place for six months.

After the initial attack, there is the usual rioting and civil disorder. This settles down after five weeks or so and becomes a generally high level of crime. The mid-West, sorry to say, dries out because water is scarce in the large farms. As a result, the East and West coasts become disconnected and information flow is unreliable. This means that most of us have no idea what happened or who launched the attack.

So, what are your thoughts on cyberwar and dealing with the aftermath?

(I tried to keep the parameters broad for expanded discussion.)
010001100111001001100101011001010110010001101111011011010010110000100000011000010110001001101111011101100110010100100000011000010110110001101100

Good post.
While this may be viable it is also possible for False Flag Cyber Attacks in an effort to control the INTERNET. This is an UGLY world right now w/ lots of treachery going on.

With the current facist slanted administration's attempt to control everything for $ and control of people as cattle, I'd be vigilent on both fronts.

Strange times ahead.

Who should control the Internet ?

http://houston.culturemap.com/newsde...-the-internet/

[LRS143]

With that much decay of normal life stuff the only real option I see is load up the fam and head for our first RP. 5-6 months is a hell of a long time to stay in suburbia fighting off waves of thugs. Not saying it couldn't be done, but it wouldn't be the smart way. I'd hang at RP1 until things started to come back up and then recon my area a few times to see if coming back was an option. If there was anything left to come back to. Like I said 5-6 months is a long time and there would be lots of homes that were unlivable by the time order and services were restored.

[Gutshot John]

I'm not sure I understand where preparation/planning would be any different than any other disaster/SHTF scenario. You've created a nightmare scenario that I agree isn't entirely unrealistic but certainly isn't any worse than a natural or manmade disaster.

Cyber attacks are certainly the wave of the future and are increasingly serious but are only relevant to infrastructure-intensive societies. Yes stuxnet can potentially cause pipelines to burst or reactors to meltdown or electricity to shut off...but once the infrastructure is dismantled, the same basic needs (food, water, shelter, security) exist.

I wouldn't get too wrapped up in the aftermath of a cyber attack. It's simply beyond your ability to prevent and wouldn't be any different in the short or long run.

I'd be more concerned about my information security at the front end i.e. is my computer/AV up to date and fully patched. Are my passwords something other than 12345? Do the online businesses I transact with have adequate security safeguards? Is my online identity protected and secured? Do I check my credit report?

[Doc Maker]

There are some significant differences in a CW attack. Movement isn't restricted by natural disaster or chem/bio hazard zones. Quarantines are not in place, as in a pandemic. The type of incident determines which supplies will be in high demand. A protective mask will be in higher demand during a pandemic or CBR attack than an earthquake, for example.

Front end network security is important now but worthless with no communication system. The North Korean attack targeted the ATM's of Seoul's largest bank. Try shopping with no cash.

[Moose-Knuckle]

HOP, agreed. To many are trying to take control of the internet.

The internet is the most influential weapon since the printing press.

Think Y2K, what would the aftermath have been? The same after a successful cyber-attack due to modern interdependence on automation and technology. A total break down of modern civilization.