Every public safety organization has data and information and is under threat of cyber-crime. The World Conference on Disaster Management will be held in Toronto, Canada on June 25-27 and a focus area of this year’s conference is cyber crime. Robert Beggs, CEO of Digital Defence from Burlington, Ontario will deliver a plenary session titled Surviving the Coming Cyberstorm: Manage the Crisis, Win the War. I had a chance to talk with Robert about his perspectives on cyber-crime.
“The flow of information is where the value lies” said Robert. Data translates into money. For example, my medical records have value to me as they can help doctors make better decisions about my care if they know my medical history. Yet, according to Robert, doctors cannot see my medical record if I am across town let alone across the country. Why aren’t my medical records available to any hospital worldwide?
My medical records have value to other less well intentioned people as well. If they can get their mitts on my information they can use it to make money and potentially make my life miserable. It can be easier for criminals to get my records than it is for a hospital.
Robert also said that “law enforcement is not configured to solve the problem”. The problem has grown beyond the abilities of law enforcement - they have lost the initiative.
Robert suggests that every organization - public or private - should recognize that they will be compromised at some time. So every organization should plan accordingly and make your response to cyber-crime part of your business planning.
Robert suggests three key principles to handle this threat.
1. Cyber-crime is a technical, policy, and cultural issue. It is a business process and management issue so the effort to prevent or control it should be lead by the business operations people not the IT department. IT should implement the business needs.
2. IT is focused on technology. Business people focus on operations. Encourage more collaboration and cooperation between the two.
3. Acknowledge that data will be compromised. Prepare in advance and manage cyber-crime as any other incident. Plan ahead of time and execute your response to support the business. Use an Agile Incident Management methodology which stresses proactive planning in combination with a rapid and effective response to attacks. This approach not only reduces the possibility of being attacked, but minimizes the costs and recovery efforts.
Cyber-crime is worldwide problem. Organizations need to share information, discuss cross border needs, techniques, and tools about how to best respond. Data protection is still in infancy so communication between public and private organizations is critical to develop effective responses. The conference is a forum to explore the issues and the solutions.
Find out more at www.wcdm.org and www.digitaldefence.ca.
Robert Beggs can be contacted at: (905)681-3310 or Robert.beggs@digitaldefence.ca
Latest Blog Posts 
Interview with King County WA Emergency Management DirectorMay 19 This is an interview with the OEM Director for the 13th largest county in the USA…
Social Media -- Citizen's Expectations on ResponseMay 19 If you still don't believe in social media, you need to look at this infograph…
Latest Emergency Management News
C-CERTs Allow Colleges to Take Quick Action During an Emergency
Modeled after the national Community Emergency Response Team program, more than 500 colleges run C-CERTs to increase on-campus emergency preparedness.
Modeled after the national Community Emergency Response Team program, more than 500 colleges run C-CERTs to increase on-campus emergency preparedness.
Major Earthquake Scenario Tests California’s Response Capabilities
The Golden Guardian exercise helps California agencies practice emergency response and recovery after a simulated earthquake hits the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Golden Guardian exercise helps California agencies practice emergency response and recovery after a simulated earthquake hits the San Francisco Bay Area.
Lessons Learned About the Social Toll of Major Disasters
Pamela Jenkins, research professor of sociology, addresses the “unevenness of the recovery” in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Pamela Jenkins, research professor of sociology, addresses the “unevenness of the recovery” in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Latest Grants
- Funding Critical Projects Requires Creativity, Collaboration
- Hinds County, Miss., Imposes Surcharge on 911 Calls via Internet-Based Phones
- Cities Implement First Responders’ Fee for Nonresidents to Fill Budget Gaps
- How Much Homeland Security Federal Funding Should New York City Receive?
- Higher Education Grants to Fund All-Hazards Planning for Institutions
