Defense contracting has become the most successful business of the last half century. Ever since the world was “saved” from fascism in the 1940s, defense contractors have steadily beat the drum for more and more bullets, guns and soldiers. This war against shadows and rumors has both frightened and emboldened the world’s powers.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, one of Japan’s most touted defense contractors, was attacked recently by hackers. The cyber assault is seen by the company as the first serious attack on its electronic epicenter.
The history of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, known simply as MHI, began as a shipbuilding business in 1870. From there, it ventured into the railroad and airplane industries, and by the 1930s, was the biggest private firm in Japan.
In less than one hundred years, MHI evolved from a small dock company into the formidable defense contractor that it has become today, manufacturing submarines, ships, missiles, rockets and nuclear power station parts. The company is worth more than $60 billion.
What happened?
Earlier this month, the military supplier found itself hit by what appears to be hackers. MHI has claimed that its substantial computer system was broken into electronically. While it won’t specify how much, or if any, information was taken, the company is clearly worried about this security breach.
MHI has discovered more than 80 computers that have been affected by the attack. All of these machines, located at the company’s headquarters in Tokyo, showed signs of tampering, with some bearing more damage than others.
How it happened
Computers, like doors and windows, have latches and locks that can be broken or bypassed. MHI has always prided itself on its security measures; the precautions they take are legendary in the business.
But this couldn’t stop determined hackers.
The virus used in the assault has yet to be identified, though Japanese specialists are working hard to decode it.
Who did it
The culprits are not yet known. Some critics and officials are spreading whispers of Chinese involvement, perhaps to further stoke the flames of nationalism. But there is no evidence that China had anything to do with the hacking. The same goes for North Korea and Taiwan.
Though the source of the attack could be domestic, a powerful foreign presence is suspected.
Stopping it from happening again
As the world advances and technology becomes quicker than the people that control it, attacks like this are inevitable. MHI and other companies will shore-up their protection mechanisms, but the best defense from attackers is to not make enemies with them in the first place.
What it means for the future
Defense contracting is a trillion dollar a year industry. With the rise of terrorism this last decade, every country with the ability to sell goods to the military is doing it.
But if all it takes to bring down one of these defense behemoths is an off-the-shelf computer and an internet connection, the world may be wasting its money.
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Shirley Adamson keenly follows hackers on internet forums and in the news. During the day she sells auto insurance to drivers in Etobicoke. Are you looking for cheaper auto insurance Etobicoke? Compare quotes at Kanetix, and see what options you haven’t looked at.
Hacking is very Cheap Stuff done by Guys. There should be some strict rules for hacking.
nice post any way
Eric Murphy recently posted..HTC Raider 4G Reviews and Full Specification
Hacking is increasing day by day . The cyber army should take proper steps to ge rid out of it !
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The hackers must be severely punished, it is a worst nightmare of a blogger or website owner to see his/her entire struggle is vanished.
Naser @ Tech Blog recently posted..How to change or uninstall existing programs in Windows XP?
hackers should be in jail for lifetime……..
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