Cyber security

U.S. cyber security companies recently revealed that governments and businesses around the world had fallen victim to one of the biggest-ever series of cyber attacks, sending government agencies, the United Nations, and businesses scrambling to recover.

At least 72 victims were notified that they had been targeted by hackers, some of whom had been violating computer systems for more than two years, quietly combing through thousands of documents and secret data.

While security experts have been reluctant to point the finger at who might be behind the attacks, the intrusions do highlight the increasing risks posed by the internet and computer inter-connectedness.

Alessandra Falcinelli, a legal expert on network and information security with the European Commission in Brussels, says her office is working on protocols to help raise awareness about how individual users can protect themselves on the internet –and given the rising number of mega cyber attacks on governments and businesses around the world – it’s also working out ways to ensure security for EU member nations. That’s no easy feat in a world where "everything from telecommunications, transportation, electricity and gas grids, to banks and businesses are all increasingly interconnected." Tracey McClure spoke to her about what that implies…