How Modern Threats Are Redefining the Rules of Defense with Paul Chichester | 20

In this episode, Ciaran and James are joined by Paul Chichester CMG, MBE, Director of Operations at the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre, to explore how cyber threats have evolved over the decades. Drawing on more than 30 years' experience at GCHQ, Paul reflects on the progression, from early digital espionage to major nation-state attacks and the rise of ransomware and explains why collaboration and partnership remain essential to building a safer online world.

Highlights

Early Tech Influences

The early computing era, from ZX81s to X.25 networks.

• Sinclair ZX81
• Research Machines' 380Z
• Acorn BBC Micro Model B
• Components of X.25 Network

Evolution of Attack Through the Ages

How the cyber threat landscape has transformed since the late 1990s.

Early Espionage and Digital Beginnings:

• Cybersecurity in 1989: Looking Back at Cliff Stoll's Classic The Cuckoo's Egg | Lawfare
• NCSC marks 20th anniversary of first response to state-sponsored cyber attack

The Rise of Malware and Cybercrime

• SQL Slammer 16 years later: Four modern-day scenarios that could be worse | CSO Online
• History of malware | The History of Malware | IBM

Landmark Nation-State and Criminal Attacks

• Moonlight Maze: Five Russian hacks that transformed US cyber-security | Moonlight Maze Report
• The evolution of DDoS attacks and how to stay ahead
• The Sony North Korean hacks Sony and North Korea: Making the Case | Sony hacks: What we know from the leaks - BBC News
• WannaCry: Massive ransomware infection hits computers in 99 countries
• NotPetya: The Untold Story of NotPetya, the Most Devastating Cyberattack in History
• TV5Monde How France's TV5 was almost destroyed by 'Russian hackers' - BBC News
• Colonial Pipeline DarkSide Ransomware Hit Colonial Pipeline—and Created an Unholy Mess | WIRED

Shifting Mindsets and Industry Response

• Cyber War Will Not Take Place | Hurst Publishers
• Worms and Wildly Insecure Software: The Untold Story of Microsoft Cybersecurity in the Early 2000s

Cyber Threat Landscape Today

The UK’s current cyber landscape and the NCSC’s work with partnerships and the public

• Ransomware incidents now make up majority of British government’s crisis management 'Cobra' meetings
• Recognising the first actual death from a ransomware attack: UK health officials say patient's death partially down to cyberattack | Ransomware: A Life and Death Form of Cybercrime
• Setting up the NCSC: Organising a Government for Cyber
• The NCSC’s partnerships: CHECK penetration testing | Chapter 02: Building the UK’s cyber resilience
• Government responds to Call for Views on Cyber Governance
• AI and digital threat: UK critical systems at increased risk from 'digital divide' created by AI threats | Impact of AI on cyber threat from now to 2027

Additional Resources:

• The Undeclared War

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