The quarterly publication of the International Legal Technology Association
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/624538
PEER TO PEER: THE QUARTERLY MAGA ZINE OF ILTA 44 "What evil lurks?" was the question raised in the introduction of an old radio show. It is interesting how that question can and should be readily applied to the context of information security. Today's globally interconnected economy is dependent on nearly instantaneous and direct communications and trust between entities. The communications part of the equation is growing ever-more optimized and efficient each day. As it does, the means of establishing and maintaining the trustworthiness and security of those communications is continuously being challenged by bad actors with various motivations. Microsoft is taking a stand with a Digital Crimes Unit (DCU). INTRUDING FOR SPORT There has been a progression over time in the objectives of intruders. In the earliest days of the phone phreaks, they were mainly in it for sport — to see what they could accomplish (and occasionally to skim some free services). While the sporting and mostly benign intent continued into the age of hackers and script kiddies, the value of the data assets accessible from their tactics grew too enticing for more nefarious-minded individuals and organizations to ignore. Industrial and political espionage has engineered a dark web and underground economy that trades in stolen materials. Authentication credentials, intellectual property and personal secrets are the goods that sustain that underground economy run by cybercriminals. Those of us who operate in the legitimate worldwide economy have much to lose by allowing cybercriminals to proliferate. Corporations and nations can be destabilized through the interception or manipulation of data. It is a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, and responsible technology vendors and law enforcement agencies around the world should work together to win. MAKING THE INTERNET SAFE Microsoft has a unique challenge in that their operating systems and software are widely used in many settings across every industry and nation. This challenge also FEATURES