Cyber Intelligence: Focusing On the Case of the Stuxnet Virus

Abstract

For computer security experts, it has been documented that the manner in which the mainstream media picks up stories gets the majority by surprise. In relation to cyber intelligence, Chad (2011) documented that some of the common issues that these experts face include worms, vulnerability, and data breaches. Indeed, Stuxnet forms one of the renowned controversies that the computer experts are likely to highlight into the far future. In the majority of the literature, it has been inferred that Stuxnet worm was spearheaded by Israel and the U.S. As avowed by David, Paul and Christina (2010), the chief motivation was to attack Iran’s nuclear power plant, Bushehr. Additional documentation suggests that the failure of early detection and reporting was informed by the affirmation that Stuxnet combines country expertise, spy agencies, nuclear power plant, and computer attacks. Overall, the events surrounding Stuxnet demonstrates that computer security remains delicate and that the need to remain active in intelligence monitoring and detection or early warnings or warning signs cannot be overemphasized.