The Internet of Things (IoT) was originally a place to aid everyone and make a difference in our lives.
The dangerous cyber attacking vectors that are steadily available for any hacker, continues to rise. The IoT has become a central common-ground for hackers alike, ultimately creating a never-ending selection of several entry points. However, the NSA is reportedly, also secretly behind the IoT, as well.
As new technology emerges, so does the drive for a more advanced thirst by the NSA, to collect larger amounts of foreign intelligence. The NSA is currently undergoing extensive scrutiny for their plausibility of exploiting any Internet-controlled biomedical devices. Such devices range from your typical ‘smart-thermostats’ to your new pacemaker.
It is difficult to differentiate the bigger concern: the fact that something so important as a pacemaker can be hacked; or that your government is trying to figure out the means to exploit your pacemaker; or via digitally accessing your house?
During a meeting held in Washington DC, the NSA, as well as the AFCEA Homeland Security, held a conference for attendees searching for Biometrics/Identity Management solutions, amongst other products. NSA deputy director Richard Ledgett stated during the conference that his agency officials are currently “looking at it sort of theoretically from a research point of view right now.”
Ledgett acknowledges much easier and less privacy violating ways to track suspected terrorists and foreign intelligence spying organizations, rather than hacking into their suspect’s biomedical and home devices. However, the agency said that such devices may also provide a better source for their information gathering, reports The Intercept.
As such, Ledgett was directly asked whether or not the general scope of IoT’s (Internet-connected electronics including toy’s to medical devices), would be another “bonanza” for the government agency, or a utilization to perform yet another “security nightmare,” Ledgett simply replied “both.”
Ledgett continues to explain why the NSA did not aid the FBI with the San Bernardino iPhone hack, citing the agency had not exploited that specific iPhone model yet. Apparently, the NSA prioritized their resources, preferring not to specifically focus on any one specific gadget. Instead, the NSA prefers to focus on the black hat’s preferred goodies.
Sources: TheHackerNews, EFF, NSA, TheInternetofThings, DefenseOne, TheIntercept.
This article (NSA Aiming to Exploit the Internet of Things as well as Biomedical Devices) is a free and open source. You have permission to republish this article under a Creative Commons license with attribution to the author and AnonHQ.
