Our cyber defenses, like our physical defenses, are reactive. That means we do not know how or where we are going to be attacked. We can try to be as proactive as our intelligence gathering community allows, but the truth is that we don’t operate to stop attacks, but merely to react to them. Then, as we fortify to protect against the type of attack initiated, the hackers and cyber terrorists come from a different angle with a new attack. It’s a repetitive cycle, where, unfortunately, our intelligence community is often less creative and talented than the enemy.

Being “more vigilant” about technology is nearly an empty statement. Like the guerilla attacks in Vietnam, the insurgency in Iraq, or the Taliban in Afghanistan–these people will continue to find and develop new ways to do wrong. This isn’t pessimistic, but realistic.

Lastly, what are some ways that “people” can become “more vigilant” with technology?