Not just our state, but I agree with your point in general. The US has been very slow in preparing for cyberwar. CISA is our attempt to change that. But it will take time. This alert is NOT for the average Joe sitting at home in front of his computers, it is for companies and industry - a warning of a new variant that they need to take action to protect against. It is real, it is not a "might happen".

When I was working for APS, they were facing a large fine if they missed the deadline for getting the safe guards in place. Sadly, in the US profit rules everything - it is more important than human life or safety. So, for the most part, the only way to get them to spend anything to protect our infrastructure is for the government to force it by imposing fines.

Me. . .

Oddly. . .

Feeling nostalgia for Covid — in comparison to this.

Yep.

Why?

When Covid, and all it entailed, was raging in our faces every day, at least we had some measure of control over how we chose to handle the threat in our personal lives.

Now, as individuals — we got nuthin’.

My heart breaks for the people of Ukraine. My mind, if I let it, most certainly could wander to the potential spread of hell on earth.

But……..

all I can do is limit my own news exposure to a quick check-in each day and then go ahead with regular, everyday life……but now with greater appreciation of even the most mundane.

We are all well aware of the obvious threats to our world — our cyberworld included. But obsessing about it cannot help and could lead some to wallowing in paranoia.

I was instructed many years ago to hide under my desk at school, “Duck and Cover.” I wanted to ask my teacher how that was supposed to help, but in those days, I would never have dared to question my teacher. (Now, I realize she had to be thinking the same thing.)

Now, I have decided not to saturate my elder-boomer days “ducking and covering” because there is absolutely nothing we can do about this one. Therefore, looking at Covid in juxtaposition makes me nostalgic for only worrying about Covid — a worry over which we were offered some control. This one though…….we got nuthin’ — no control whatsoever……..except controlling our own choices about how we spend our days. Some will choose obsession. I will not.

Boomer

Good post, I agree. I do think there is a lot of room between ignoring, being aware and being obsessed.

Nothing ever seems to get done anymore 😕

In reference to what?

I am constantly amazed at how much things are changing and improving.

The area we need to put more time into is getting along with each other. Agreeing to disagree. Finding common ground and working together for a better America.

Russia has attacked every free world country's elections and corporations for the last 15 years. They have designated troll farms to undermine Europe and US society. I wonder if those troll farms employ large numbers of young tech-savvy intellectuals? And how much were they paid? And how many have recently left Russia as part of a "brain drain" of intellectuals offended by the Ukraine war. Supposedly Russian oil production is DECREASING because of losing skilled oil field operators and maintenance people. 40% of the Russian economy is in the oil industry. Russia lacks economic diversity and they have had a Sovereign Debt default recently.
Recently Russia tried a cyber-attack against Finland and maybe Sweden because of their interest in joining NATO. Finland was probably prepared for it (better than the US) because since Finland and Russia share about an 800-mile long border - so Finland has to be prepared to resist Russia because it is strongly in their self-interest. Finland has the equivalent of an underground bomb shelter for its whole capital city. The US has hardened military sites, but not much for its civilians.

Sorry I have never heard of that. maybe because I don't go on the "dark sites"?

old news - been going on for several years

One expert retired military expert made the statement that we have already begun a 3rd world war. I am not saying that I agree with that, but I DO notice that many countries are having to pick one side or the other. Democracy or Dictatorship. Poland is a country that was balanced between the West and Russia. But, recent current events have FORCED Poland to choose - and they picked the West. Switzerland joined NATO and likely Finland and Sweden will follow soon.
I understand that Venezuela is lining up with Putin. India is supposedly a Democracy, but are they really? They trade a lot with Russia. And African nations may be deciding now whose side they will be on. It's like children picking up sides for a game only on a Global Scale! On a world population basis, people living under Dictatorships outnumber the free-world population.
The opening rounds of this global tug of war may include cyber-warfare, disinformation, and the creation of chaos and confusion.

That was well written to the point of being poetic!

Sadly, as a general rule, most of the World's corporations only care about profits.... a "greed is good" philosophy. However, some of the most socially conscious and employee-friendly Corporations also have high profitability. There was even an ETF put together from these types of Corporations.

Poland chose where its interests lay a long time ago, and has been a full member of Nato sinc 1999.
Switzerland has never been a member or applied to join NATO.

Irony is ironic...

The way I understand it, Poland had been becoming/leaning authoritarian in the past year, but after Russia attacked the Ukraine, public sentiment in Poland and their President (or Prime Minister) made the shift quickly away from Russia towards the West. A lot of that has to do with the superior PR campaign and work put in by President Zelenskyy and the obvious videos about Russian atrocities - also there is a David vs Goliath concept here.
........That was MY point. I don't care who is OFFICIALLY in NATO. It is about the need for all countries around the world HAVING TO CHOOSE a side. Hungary for example is officially in NATO, but after the recent (tainted) election, Viktor Orban seems to be heading back to his Dictatorial roots and he will favor Russia. This will present a problem for NATO in the future. That was MY point about choosing!
.........I will have to check about Switzerland, but there has been something in the news about their applying for NATO membership. Stay tuned!