Data is a critical component of business, government, our military, and our nation's economic well-being and defense. That is why it is increasingly at risk. Cyber sabotage has been the topic of a growing number of conversations lately and for good reason: Everyone and every organization is at risk.
The risk is greater than a person or organization being successfully targeted. A successful attack can ripple out and affect associated organizations. Think of the devastation that would result if a successful attack resulted in data sabotage that targets any of our nation's critical infrastructure.
INTEL: In 2015, U.S. intelligence agencies warned Congress and other government officials of the growing risk of a cyberattack that compromises the integrity of the data we use for our decision making.
In looking into this increasingly important issue, we were unable to find any legal definition of "data sabotage." Sabotage itself is an intentional act intended to hamper, subvert or hurt the efforts of another. A potential legal definition of data sabotage is the willful act of maliciously altering or manipulate data in an effort to compromise the integrity and accuracy of that data and of any information gleaned from the use of the altered data.
Some believe we are addicted to data. That seems to be supported by Cisco's view that calls the current situation "The Zettabyte Era." For clarification, a zettabyte equals 1 trillion gigabytes. If you stop for a moment and think about the ramifications that would accompany data sabotage activities, I am sure you would agree it would be a nightmare. With our growing dependency on data, this is an issue that must be addressed expeditiously.
