Post date: Jun 11, 2012 6:17:44 PM
Speaking at the Reuters Global Media and Technology Summit in London, internet security expert Eugene Kaspersky reiterated calls for a global agreement to combat 'cyber weapons'.
UK-INTERNET SECURITY - Last month, the I.T security firm that bears his name uncovered the powerful Flame virus.
Speaking at the Reuters Global Technology, Media and Telecoms summit in London, the firm's CEO Eugene Kaspersky said we are heading into a new age of cyberwars.
Eugene Kaspersky, Kaspersky Lab CEO saying
"The world has changed."
He also revealed that his lab linked some of the software code found in Flame to Stuxnet: a so-called cyber weapon, believed to have been used by the United States and Israel to attack Iran's nuclear program.
The chief executive of the Moscow-based firm wouldn't comment on who he thought was behind either virus, but he says - in general - state-sponsored cyber espionage would not surprise him.
SOUNDBITE: Eugene Kaspersky, Kaspersky Lab CEO saying
"Now we're living in the era of cyber weapons. The world is different. Not just cyber hooligans, vandals. Not just criminals. But governments are in the game and I'm afraid the worst, I'm still expecting, cyberterrorism."
Kaspersky has been calling for an interntational treaty to fight cyber threats.
Eugene Kaspersky, Kaspersky Lab CEO saying
"If it's really able to change our lives in the worst way. I think it's a good idea to stop that and to stop that we need to have an international treaty."
He admits the I.T. security industry tends to focus on the worst case scenario...but he says, a little alarmism can be useful when it comes to alerting people to potential threats.
Eugene Kaspersky, Kaspersky Lab CEO saying
"It's really dangerious because we depend on I.T. I.T. is everywhere in this office. Elevators are managed by some small industrial computer. Electricity. Everything is managed by I.T. so a professionally designed cyber attack could get us back to the pre-electric age. I'm afraid it's so serious."
He concedes the likelihood of that scenario is pretty remote. However, the likelihood of absolutely nothing happening is equally remote. And the trick is to get people thinking more about cyber threats.
Matt Cowan, Reuters