Russian Government Responsible for Cyber Warfare, Theft

Sunday's 60 Minutes featured a segment on computer worms and their shocking prevalence. The piece provided a glimpse of the evils of theft and destruction, but also informed its viewers of the unacceptable inaction of the Russian government.

Don Jackson, director of threat intelligence at computer-defender Secure Works, shared his expertise on the subject by identifying a group of of Russian youth notorious for their computer hacking escapades. This particular "Cyber gang" was arrested at one point, but then subsequently released, and is still practicing their despicable craft.

The problem goes beyond this example. Hacking has become an outlet for anti-Western sentiment in Russia, as evidenced a newspaper article which venerated the aforementioned offenders as national heroes. I am appalled that the same government which invades the lives of many citizens, has essentially nationalized the entire media, and centralized its structure to the point that regional executives (equivalent to American Governors) are appointed by the federal government cannot perform its primary function by preventing crime.

Then again, the Russian state has a history of similar actions. In 2007, following the relocation of an Estonian war memorial, Russia blitzed public and private Estonian domains, creating chaos and damage in the process.

It is quite clear through Russia's omissions in regards to its computer hackers and its unprecedented, irresponsible reaction to Estonia that a prioritization should be in order