100
5 Genie Out of the Bottle
by means of “Trojan horses”—computer codes that can steal passwords and PIN
codes. Further problems are caused by computer viruses or worms that damage
software or data.
5.11.2 Military Risks
Because most of our critical infrastructures are now connected with other systems
via information and communications networks, they have become quite vulnerable
to cyber attacks. In principle, malicious intruders can manipulate the production
of chemicals, energy (including nuclear power stations), as well as financial and
communication networks. Attacks are sometimes possible even if the computers
controlling such critical infrastructures are not connected to the Internet. Given our
dependence on electricity, information and money flows as well as other goods and
services, this makes our societies more vulnerable than ever before. Coordinated
cyber-attacks might be launched just within microseconds and bring the functioning
of our economy and societies to a halt.
Digital weapons (so-called “D weapons”) are now considered to be as dangerous
as ABC (atomic, biological, and chemical) weapons.
29 Therefore, the US government
reserves the right to respond to cyber war with a nuclear counter-strike. Everywhere in
the world, we are now seeing a digital arms race for the most powerful informationbased surveillance and manipulation technologies. It is doubtful whether governments will be able to prevent a serious misuse of such powerful tools. Just imagine,
a crystal ball or magic wand or other powerful digital tools would exist. Then, of
course, everyone wanted to use them, including criminals and our enemies. It is
obvious that, sooner or later, these powerful tools would get into wrong hands and
finally out of control. If we don’t take suitable precautions, mining massive data may
(intentionally or not) create problems of any scale—including digital weapons of
mass destruction. Therefore, international efforts towards confidence-building and
digital disarmament are crucial and urgent.
30
5.11.3 Economic Risks
Similarly, cybercrime harms our economy, as does the illicit access to sensitive business secrets or the theft of intellectual property. Furthermore, a loss of customer trust
in products can reduce sales that would be worth billions of dollars. This has recently
29 The Digital Arms Race: NSA Preps America for Future Battle, see http://www.spiegel.de/intern
ational/world/newsnowden-docs-indicate-scope-of-nsa-preparations-for-cyber-battle-a-1013409.
html.
30 Recently, thousands of scientists and Artificial Intelligence experts have signed an Open Letter
to ban the use of autonomous weapons, see http://futureoflife.org/AI/open_letter_autonomous_w
eapons.
5 Genie Out of the Bottle
by means of “Trojan horses”—computer codes that can steal passwords and PIN
codes. Further problems are caused by computer viruses or worms that damage
software or data.
5.11.2 Military Risks
Because most of our critical infrastructures are now connected with other systems
via information and communications networks, they have become quite vulnerable
to cyber attacks. In principle, malicious intruders can manipulate the production
of chemicals, energy (including nuclear power stations), as well as financial and
communication networks. Attacks are sometimes possible even if the computers
controlling such critical infrastructures are not connected to the Internet. Given our
dependence on electricity, information and money flows as well as other goods and
services, this makes our societies more vulnerable than ever before. Coordinated
cyber-attacks might be launched just within microseconds and bring the functioning
of our economy and societies to a halt.
Digital weapons (so-called “D weapons”) are now considered to be as dangerous
as ABC (atomic, biological, and chemical) weapons.
29 Therefore, the US government
reserves the right to respond to cyber war with a nuclear counter-strike. Everywhere in
the world, we are now seeing a digital arms race for the most powerful informationbased surveillance and manipulation technologies. It is doubtful whether governments will be able to prevent a serious misuse of such powerful tools. Just imagine,
a crystal ball or magic wand or other powerful digital tools would exist. Then, of
course, everyone wanted to use them, including criminals and our enemies. It is
obvious that, sooner or later, these powerful tools would get into wrong hands and
finally out of control. If we don’t take suitable precautions, mining massive data may
(intentionally or not) create problems of any scale—including digital weapons of
mass destruction. Therefore, international efforts towards confidence-building and
digital disarmament are crucial and urgent.
30
5.11.3 Economic Risks
Similarly, cybercrime harms our economy, as does the illicit access to sensitive business secrets or the theft of intellectual property. Furthermore, a loss of customer trust
in products can reduce sales that would be worth billions of dollars. This has recently
29 The Digital Arms Race: NSA Preps America for Future Battle, see http://www.spiegel.de/intern
ational/world/newsnowden-docs-indicate-scope-of-nsa-preparations-for-cyber-battle-a-1013409.
html.
30 Recently, thousands of scientists and Artificial Intelligence experts have signed an Open Letter
to ban the use of autonomous weapons, see http://futureoflife.org/AI/open_letter_autonomous_w
eapons.