US urges govt to take a broader view of cyber threats

US urges govt to take a broader view of cyber threats

With growing concerns over the rise of terrorism in Southeast Asia, the US is seeking to equip countries in the region with an ability to tackle cyber security threats.

The US provides training and workshops for security officers through its various agencies.

One of them is the Hawaii-based Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies (APCSS), where security experts are groomed for their roles in the Advanced Security Cooperation programme.

This year's workshop was attended by security officers, soldiers, police, diplomats and journalists from 32 countries in the Asia Pacific region. Topics ranged from the South China Sea conflicts to Japan's increasing military might. Lt Gen Dan Leaf, director of APCSS, encouraged participants to work on fixing security problems at home after finishing the workshop.

A highlight of the five-week programme is cyber security which has become a challenge for the world as hackers target security organisations in the US, prompting Washington to beef up its systems. It has established Cyber Commands in several regions around the world, to streamline its responses to cyber threats, while the CIA has restructured itself to upgrade its cyber operation.

The US has also made it clear there is a need for countries in the region including Thailand to improve their ability to counter cyber attacks. The US is ready to provide assistance as it wants every country to make a contribution, joining forces in the war against terror.

One of the US agencies which is active in countering terrorism is the US Pacific Command which acts as a centre providing cyber operation drills to other countries, so each can set up a computer emergency response team and work cooperatively.

The US is looking further than state agencies as it believes the private sector can also play a key role. It says there is an increasing need for so-called "white hat hackers" who are to counter the "black hat hackers" from the other side.

Cyber security will play a key part of the 2016 Cobra Gold exercise next February, in addition to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) and other combat drills.

The 2016 programme is supposed to be a "heavy year", in which full-scale drills are conducted,  compared to the partial drills which prevailed this year.

Yet it would be wrong to say the Thai military is cyber ignorant. On the contrary. The military has set up a special unit, the Cyber Security Centre, at an army command unit where officers monitor websites and social media channels.

Their role is limited primarily to internal affairs, particularly in safeguarding the monarchy and keeping a close watch on the red shirts. Websites have been closed and suspects charged and prosecuted.

That's not enough. The US thinks Thailand should broaden its views when dealing with cyber security issues. It wants it to move on from colour-coded politics and enhance its capacity to handle cyber terrorism on a broad front.

When intelligence reports detect Islamic State (IS) activities in Malaysia, the US has issued warnings to Thailand and its neighbours. In such cases the US wold like Thailand to help it keep track of social media and other cyber communications which could help fight terror threats.

There are also growing concerns over the use of social media in helping the IS form alliances with southern insurgents who are escalating their operations.

It's only a matter of time before the military responds to the growing need for "white hat hackers" to protect the country's security. Thailand is not the main target of extremists but can serve as a transit point or a shelter where those extremists go into hiding.

The government will have to look at the bigger picture and upgrade to better handle cyber security threats. The US wants the region's help, as the terror threat rises and spreads worldwide, with the deadly potential to hit us at home.


Wassana Nanuam is a senior news reporter covering military affairs for the Bangkok Post.

Wassana Nanuam

Senior news reporter

Wassana Nanuam is a senior news reporter covering military affairs for the Bangkok Post.

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