UNH Cyber Threat Calculator assesses the level of threat any attacker poses

Hackers, terrorists and nations all use computers, but who really is capable of damaging the critical infrastructure of the United States?

The University of New Hampshire today unveiled the UNH Cyber Threat Calculator, which assesses the level of threat any attacker poses to specific sectors in the country that rely on information technology.

The UNH Cyber Threat Calculator was unveiled Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007, at the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Conference 2007 in St. Louis, Missouri. The UNH Cyber Threat Calculator was developed by researchers at UNH Justiceworks and students, and offers a new method to identify and quantify the threats posed to the United States? cyber infrastructure.

?Nation states potentially pose the greatest threat with regard to cyber security to the United States. Clearly Russia and China are two of the top countries because they have more developed capabilities, but it may not be in their interest to use cyber attacks for strategic attacks ends. Both countries have worked on doctrine and there is some evidence that they are incorporating it into their military training as well. However, individuals, political groups, religious groups and organized crime groups also pose ongoing risks and should be considered cyber threats, as well,? says Andrew Macpherson, director of the technical analysis group at Justiceworks and research assistant professor of justice studies.

A cyber attack could have a significant impact in the United States. Targets could include the energy sector; emergency response and preparedness systems; financial services; and telecommunications; or even the agricultural sector.


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