It’s an astonishing question. How would someone go about stealing the most advanced fighter jet in the American military arsenal? The answer: You break into the most secure computer network in the world and steal the plans.
According to recent reports, hackers have systematically stolen thousands of files about the U.S. military’s new Joint Strike Fighter, our most advanced fighter in history. Specifically, hackers stole files concerning the design and electrical system of the new fighter, by infiltrating Pentagon and defense contractor computers.
Additionally, hackers were able to break into air traffic control systems operated by the U.S. Air Force. This gave them the opportunity to view the location of any U.S. military aircraft, in real time. While Department of Defense and Pentagon officials believe attacks such as these are the result of foreign states, rather than the work of individuals or small groups, such extraordinary attacks raise numerous questions about computer security in general.
