North Korean Cyberattacks: A Dangerous and Evolving Threat
Contents
North Korean missiles and nuclear weapons have garnered fear, international condemnation, and tough sanctions. Pyongyang’s cyber activities, however, have elicited less reaction and punishment despite having been used repeatedly in attacks against governments, financial institutions, and industries.
The attitude of experts toward North Korea’s cyber capabilities was initially dismissive, just as their reaction to the regime’s nuclear and missile programs had been.REF Many, pointing to the famous nighttime satellite imagery of northeast Asia with a dark North Korea surrounded by the blazing lights of its neighbors, did not believe that the technologically backward regime was capable of sophisticated cyberattacks.
Nevertheless, although the regime fails to provide technological comforts for its populace, Pyongyang developed an advanced cyber warfare prowess that is surpassed by few nations. From initial rudimentary distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks against South Korea, the regime improved its cyber programs to create a robust and global array of disruptive military, financial, and …
The attitude of experts toward North Korea’s cyber capabilities was initially dismissive, just as their reaction to the regime’s nuclear and missile programs had been.REF Many, pointing to the famous nighttime satellite imagery of northeast Asia with a dark North Korea surrounded by the blazing lights of its neighbors, did not believe that the technologically backward regime was capable of sophisticated cyberattacks.
Nevertheless, although the regime fails to provide technological comforts for its populace, Pyongyang developed an advanced cyber warfare prowess that is surpassed by few nations. From initial rudimentary distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks against South Korea, the regime improved its cyber programs to create a robust and global array of disruptive military, financial, and …