Malicious attacks on computer systems in the past have been confined to the stealing of data, but altering it could be the next stage for hackers, an international expert has said.
Tim Maurer, a researcher with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told a major publication that the emerging risk in cyber space involves data integrity.
While hackers in previous years made off with data, Maurer said increasingly sophisticated malware will alter data on the internet and computer systems, and compromise their integrity, which could wreak havoc with financial and social institutions.
For instance, he noted that the financial sector is particularly vulnerable to loss of data integrity, as it could come undone should participants lose faith in the data, and then have a domino effect on international markets. Because of its highly interconnected nature, the effects could be profound and far reaching, he added.
Maurer further observed that although there have not been many such attacks yet, it would benefit global financial markets to join forces at the government level to stave off such risks. He said the US, China and Russia could put their resources together to beef up existing defenses and come up with conventions to address incidents.
