“The Professionalization of Cyber Criminals and Their Evolution Into Strategic Adversaries”

Please join the InfraGard Nations Capital Members Alliance (INCMA) for the first event in our 2011 Lecture Series.

INCMA, in partnership with the Center for Infrastructure Protection and Homeland Security at the George Mason University School of Law is hosting this event on May 5, 2011 from 6:00-7:30 p.m. (registration and reception begin at 5:00 p.m.) in Founders Hall, 3301 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA, 22201. The facility is accessible off the Virginia Square Metro Station, and parking is available on the street and in the Founders Hall Garage (see map at http://cip.gmu.edu/contact-us).

There is a $25 fee to attend the event which includes refreshments. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite.

Our expert panel includes:

• Jessie M. Eisenbart -- FBI Intelligence Analyst, National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Mark Danner -- Consulting Manager, National Strategies, Inc.
• Robert A. Miller, Ph.D., J.D. -- Professor of Systems Management, National Defense University

Our panel will examine how cyber criminals have evolved from “lone wolves” into sophisticated business enterprises; what is required to combat them; and how they are continuing their evolution into strategic adversaries.

With their portrayal in the media, cyber criminals are often viewed as derelicts hiding in their mothers’ basements, playing video games during the day and committing petty crimes during the night. Many people often forget that cyber criminals are, in fact, criminals. The cyber crime community is a robust global industry and serious cyber crime is becoming dominated by criminals who view themselves as businessmen. To these criminals, dealing with law enforcement is simply a nuisance of their business, to be dealt with as efficiently as possible to maintain their bottom line. The panel will describe how cyber criminals have evolved their practices to make their crimes more profitable, how they expand their social networks, divide labor, choose specializations, establish reliable communication infrastructures, and organize their crimes. For today’s cyber criminals, cyber crime is their chosen profession, not a hobby. We must also remember that originally, most hackers were individuals or small groups, looking for notoriety and respect, and perhaps a bit of chaos. Early in this century, we moved to a second stage which saw the rise of cyber-criminals, looking primarily for profit. We are now seeing the beginning of a third stage, in which cyber “exploits” are being weaponized, and cyberspace has become a battle space.

InfraGard is a public-private volunteer organization that serves as a critical link across sectors and industries. There are 86 members alliances throughout the United States and over 41,000 members. InfraGard provides its members with unmatched opportunities to promote the physical and cyber security of their organizations through access to a trusted, national network of Subject Matter Experts from the public and private sectors. And, it provides government stakeholders, across the local, state, and Federal levels with unmatched access to the expertise and experience of critical infrastructure owners and operators. InfraGard’s leadership consists of volunteers with distinguished careers in government, business, military, law enforcement and academia. More information can be found at www.infragardnationscapital.org and www.infragard.org.

The George Mason University School of Law’s Center for Infrastructure Protection and Homeland Security (CIP/HS) is nationally and internationally recognized as a leading facilitator and provider of infrastructure protection programs that help secure and defend the United States and its allies. This Center integrates law, policy, and technology to conduct comprehensive infrastructure protection analysis and research, including resiliency studies, security assessments, educational initiatives, and recommendations relevant to improving U.S. and international security; with special emphasis on protecting the people. CIP/HS offers strategic teaming and partnering with governmental, academic, and industry stakeholders to identify and implement innovative ideas to emergent challenges and concerns in the following arenas: Cyber; Economics; Education and Training; Energy; Homeland Security/Defense; Medical and Public Health; and Nuclear Energy. More information can be found at http://cip.gmu.edu.

If you have any questions, please contact paul.pattak@infragard.org.