Remember the stories I did on Yahoo and other online companies claiming they were forced to participate in the NSA surveillance of people’s cell phones and computers? Then I came across this report. I’ll just leave it up to you what to believe, or how to interpret these reports.
Did you know that venture capitalist have invested a whopping $700 million dollars into security startups in the past 12 months? According to one research firm, that’s 10 percent of all venture dollars in the US. Former spy chiefs are also investing. In fact, over 80 companies work on cyber security. This market was worth $67 billion dollars in 2012. By 2017, it will be worth $93. While budget cuts are being sought after in other areas, more money is wanted in cyber security operations.
Part of the reason for this investment, or so we’re told, is to stop hacking, and what hacking can lead to. Some are quick to remind us that just one cyber attack can lead to an act of war or other catastrophe. Cyber security investor Ted Schlein said, “Wars in the future will be fought initially through cyber means…So, if a commercial company can develop a pre-emptive offensive technology,
think it makes perfect sense.” People in his field say more is needed to be done to keep space with the increasing dangers of cyberspace.
On the surface, investing in cyber intelligence may seem like a good idea. I’ve read reports of millions of dollars being stolen by hackers and thieves from banks and credit cards. I’ve read reports of nations spying on other nations of military secrets and other sensitive information. But the cynic in me is telling me there’s something more to this. Something’s telling me these investments are going to keep the spying on innocent Americans going. And Heaven forbid if that innocent American ‘gets out of line.’ That’s my fear. Am I right or am I just paranoid?