Luis Yanez
Tech Musing #3
http://www.wired.com/2016/04/security-week-tax-day-near-irs-hackable-ever/
Summary:
Most news in the digital security world happens behind the screen. Research has shown that people who prefer the aesthetic consistency of URL shortens are actually are opening themselves up to malware attacks and online spying. While the web is becoming more secure, tens of millions of websites are now switching to an HTTPS standard that will encrypt traffic between websites.
The IRS is facing serious cyber threats yet cybersecurity at the IRS is still lagging. This year it has become the victim of security breaches. Its top cybersecurity expert recently left and that currently there are only 10 such experts employed at the agency. The big deal is the high level of sensitive taxpayer data which cybercriminals can easily use it to commit serious fraud. This week millions of Americans have received fraudulent robocalls from scammers outside of the U.S. claiming to be the IRS.
The President has assembled a new crew of experts from across the business, government and academia worlds and they will make bold recommendations to improve digital security across the government and the private sectors as well as ways for Americans to improve their personal privacy practice.
Relevance to MIS 441:
Security and privacy is a concern for everyone and there has been an emphasis of this topic recently so it’s inevitable that it is mentioned in the course. These short articles of the different areas where cyber threat can exist. Cybercrime is constantly a threat to the government. Millions of peoples’ tax information is under threat because of a lack of expertise within the IRS. The IRS seems to be underestimating the potential of cybercriminals and must act fast to combat the risks.
Important to MIS Students:
Educating individuals on security and privacy helps them be more prepared and knowledgeable in these issues. This short article demonstrates the initiatives currently underway to combat cybercrime and new measures of cybersecurity being implemented to protect privacy. MIS students looking to enter the realm of governmental cybersecurity should be aware of this issues in order for preparation and interest.
Bureaucratic agencies, even ones that have sensitive data are not always following the best guidelines. Hospitals often have many security breaches, and patient data is sensitive. Not sure educating is sufficient, but the initiatives are promising.
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