by David Stuart, Manager of Symantec MSS Product Marketing
Symantec’s Managed Security Services (MSS)EMEA Security Operations Centre (SOC) was recently highlighted in a 10-minute BBC Newsnight special on the subject of cyberwar. As part of the feature, specifics are shared regarding the need for governments worldwide to call for ‘rules of engagement’ for cyber conflict and the new dimensions the Internet creates for international politics.
In preparation for this special, a Newsnight producer had an initial conversation with Symantec’s Liam O’Murchu on his analysis of Stuxnet. Following that conversation, three members of the Newsnight team visited the MSS SOC in Reading, UK and interviewed Symantec’s Orla Cox on the significance of the threat and what it means for security. Orla explained what Stuxnet actually did to impacted systems and how this was not the work of a typical malicious code writer due to the range of skills, resources and information required. In addition to Orla, the Newsnight special included representatives from Northrop Grumman, the US Cyber Consequences Unit, the Strategic Studies Group of the US Air Force, to discuss the increasing complexity and severity of threats and the future of cybersecurity.
Newsnight is the BBC's flagship news and current affairs programme, noted for its in-depth analysis and often robust cross-examination of interviewees. The programme provides comprehensive coverage of important national and international news stories and has been a BBC staple since January 1980. With around 1 million viewers, it is respected for its gritty reporting and analytical approach to the stories of the day. In terms of reaching a broad audience via a credible channel, it really doesn’t get much better than Newsnight!