The RSA Security division of the EMC Corporation said Thursday that it had suffered a sophisticated data breach, potentially compromising computer security products widely used by corporations and governments...RSA, which is based in Bedford, Mass., posted an urgent message on its Web site on Thursday referring to an open letter from its chairman, Art Coviello. The letter acknowledged that the company had suffered from an intrusion Mr. Coviello described as an “advanced persistent threat.” (more)
The breach is serious, but more interesting is use of the term “advanced persistent threat.” Sounds like a genetically altered mosquito. Good analogy.
infoworld.com gives us their definition...
"Intruders engaging in APT-style attacks represent well-organized, well-funded groups -- often located in a "safe harbor" country -- and they're out to steal a company's intellectual property. They aren't out for quick financial gain like cyber criminals; they're in it for the long haul. Their dream assignment is to essentially duplicate their victim's best ideas and products in their own homeland, or to sell the information they've purloined to the highest bidder."
In other words, foreign governments.
Computer hacking is only one technique in their bag of spy tricks. If you spot this type of hacker probing your defenses, better give us a call.
Computer hacking is only one technique in their bag of spy tricks. If you spot this type of hacker probing your defenses, better give us a call.
