The Hysteria of the Cyber-Warriors

Willfro writes: Evgeney Morozov has a piece up now at Boston Review about the hyperbole and reality of "cyber war".

"At the end of May, President Obama called cyber-security 'one of the most serious economic and national security challenges we face as a nation.' His words echo a flurry of gloomy think-tank reports. Unfortunately, these reports are usually richer in vivid metaphor--with fears of "digital Pearl Harbors" and "cyber-Katrinas"--than in factual foundation.

So why is there so much concern about "cyber-terrorism"? Answering a question with a question: who frames the debate? Much of the data are gathered by ultra-secretive government agencies--which need to justify their own existence--and cyber-security companies--which derive commercial benefits from popular anxiety. Journalists do not help. Gloomy scenarios and speculations about cyber-Armaggedon draw attention, even if they are relatively short on facts.