New tool that measures threat of cyber attack unveiled

Researchers at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) unveiled a tool that calculates the risks of a cyber attack.To determine the overall threat level, analysts enter data for a particular organization or country into the UNH Cyber Threat Calculator, explains a UNH press release.The calculator assigns a value to variables that assess the actor’s intent to use cyber warfare means, as well as its technical capabilities to put such means into practice.The higher the number assigned to a possible attacker by the calculator, the greater the threat.Andrew Macpherson, director of the technical analysis group at UNH’s Justiceworks and research assistant professor of justice studies, says that it is difficult to quantify the amount of damage that could be caused by or estimate the economic loss possible as a result of a cyber attack.”An attacker may want to impact certain sectors quietly over a period of time or may seek to carry out widespread multiple sector attacks,” Macpherson said in a statement.While it is difficult to quantify possible damages, it is certain that the threat of attack is certain for government and industries alike, he added.”With approximately 85% of the cyber infrastructure owned by the private sector, it’s not just a government problem.”The calculator was unveiled at the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Conference 2007 in St. Louis, Missouri.