Selena Larson on e-crime matching nation state hackers; Disinfo before the Supreme Court
Jun 27, 2024
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Selena Larson, a senior threat intelligence analyst, highlights the impact of criminal hacking groups on society. They discuss the importance of focusing on e-crime alongside state-backed hackers, the fallout of a Supreme Court ruling on disinformation, and the need to prioritize cybersecurity measures based on real risks faced by organizations.
E-crime groups must receive equal attention to state hackers for cybersecurity landscape reframing.
Supreme Court ruling emphasizes future risks in gov-social media interactions, impacting disinfo fight.
Deep dives
Government Communication with Social Media Platforms Ruling
The recent Supreme Court ruling focused on how the federal government communicates with social media platforms. The case examined the nature of these conversations and the lines between cooperation and coercion in content moderation decisions. It stemmed from concerns around sharing information about activities like foreign influence operations and coordinated account networks, particularly after the 2016 election meddling and during the COVID pandemic.
Implications of the Supreme Court Decision
The 6-3 Supreme Court decision emphasized the need for plaintiffs to prove future risks, not just past harm related to government actions. The majority highlighted the cooperation between the government and social media companies, suggesting a non-coercive relationship. The ruling, while based on standing, revealed differing perspectives on the case, with dissenters calling it unconstitutional.
Federal Government's Interaction with Platforms Post-Ruling
The ruling's impact on how the federal government engages with social media platforms remains uncertain. Political considerations, such as Republican control of Congress, could shape government actions in this context. Social media companies are cautious due to legal and political pressures, indicating a holding pattern in government-platform interactions.
Comparing State-Backed Threats and Cybercrime Impact
While state-backed threats pose national security risks, cybercrime groups significantly impact everyday individuals and communities. The podcast discussed ransomware attacks in healthcare settings, disruptions in critical services like gas supply due to cyber incidents, and the profound impact on ordinary lives. It highlighted the tangible consequences of cybercrime on businesses, hospitals, schools, and essential services, stressing the need for increased focus on mitigating cybercrime threats.
When studying cyberoperations, it’s easy to become enamored with state-backed hackers. Russian and Chinese operations have done much to shape our understanding of how power is exercised online, but it’s not clear that the intense attention dedicated to such operations is well-placed. Amid the current epidemic of ransomware, criminal hacking groups are arguably having as much if not a greater impact on the lives of ordinary people. On this week’s episode of Safe Mode, Selena Larson, a senior threat intelligence analyst at Proofpoint, sits down with host Elias Groll to make the case for why e-crime groups should be afforded just as much attention as state-backed hackers, reframing how we think about the cybersecurity landscape. CyberScoop reporter Derek Johnson also joins the show to discuss the fallout of a major Supreme Court ruling on the fight against disinformation.
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