Cyber Attack Hits Georgian President’s Phone Call with CNN

Aug. 10, 2008 - PRLog -- Shortly after noon east coast time in the United States, CNN’s Wolf Blitzer attempted to interview Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili by phone on his live news program.  The first attempt was unsuccessful and the second attempted about ten minutes later was able to successfully connect President Saakashvili.  President Saakashvili apologized for the missed connection earlier blaming the problem on a “cyber attack” against the Georgian VoIP phone system.

Biltzer wanted to get Georgian President’s firsthand account of the current situation with respect to the two day violent conflict that has broken out with Russian forces.  The magnitude of the Russian military response has NATO and leaders around the world concerned and closely monitoring the situations. The disruptive cyber attack came shortly after reportedly President Mikheil Saakashvili ordered the ceasefire and communicated that message to the Russian side.  Communications were eventually established via satellite phone system that is much less susceptible to cyber attack and other military jamming techniques.  This specific attack came just hours after reports that cyber-attack appears to have crippled a number Georgia's websites.

The ability to disrupt an advisory’s communications has always been a military tactic and that is what makes the Internet a prime target.  “This is a sign of things to come” said Steve Idelman - CEO of Solutionary a leading security firm.  Cyber warfare strategies, tactics and weapons are relatively new.  One thing is certain, given the increased number and sophistication of the tactics used in cyber attacks, cyber warfare capabilities are at the top of military wish lists of an estimated 140 countries.  Cyber war is now a part of modern warfare.

By: Kevin G. Coleman
Strategic Technology Consultant & Cyber Warfare Advisor with the Technolytics Institute.

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