[liberationtech] A Digital Safe Haven for Syria

Tue May 28 05:10:36 PDT 2013

Cool, let the US govt, instead of the Syrian govt, spy on them.
On May 27, 2013 10:40 PM, "Gregory Foster" <gfoster at entersection.org> wrote:

> An observation, ymmv.
>
> The NYT op-ed is by Chris Finan.  He was recently the Director for
> Cybersecurity Legislation in Obama's White House:
> http://www.linkedin.com/pub/**chris-finan/5/a35/19<http://www.linkedin.com/pub/chris-finan/5/a35/19>
> http://www.netcaucus.org/**biography/christopher-finan.**shtml<http://www.netcaucus.org/biography/christopher-finan.shtml>
>
> For context, here, Finan analyzes problems with usage of the "cyber Pearl
> Harbor" signifier...before going ahead and deploying it in support of the
> Cybersecurity Act of 2012:
> http://thehill.com/blogs/**congress-blog/homeland-**
> security/267945-five-reasons-**why-congress-should-pass-**
> cybersecurity-act-of-2012<http://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/homeland-security/267945-five-reasons-why-congress-should-pass-cybersecurity-act-of-2012>
>
> In the op-ed, Finan suggests NSA Director General Keith B. Alexander's
> Cyber Command could set up and operate the crisis zone wireless
> infrastructure:
>
>  For example, through the military’s new Cyber Command, we could create a
>> digital “safe haven,” akin to physical safe havens for refugees, by
>> deploying long-distance Wi-Fi technologies along Syria’s borders and in
>> rebel-held areas in coordination with vetted opposition groups. Platforms
>> that enable [point-to-point] transmission of Wi-Fi signals over distances
>> of up to 60 miles are already in use in parts of South Asia and other rural
>> markets.
>>
>
>
> I would suggest, from a Signals Intelligence point of view, it would be
> very helpful to own the infrastructure.  Finan continues,
>
>  Subsequent actions could include measures to counter the Assad regime’s
>> capacity to monitor opposition communications within the existing
>> telecommunications infrastructure.
>>
>
> Question: is one of the potential unintended consequences of connecting to
> a Cyber Command network from within Syria the effect of making one's router
> a part of the battlefield?
>
> Again, ymmv -
> gf
>
>
> On 5/27/13 8:37 PM, Andrew Lewis wrote:
>
>> I guess the better question is there anyone else out there that would
>> like to look further into this? I know that there are a bunch of tech folks
>> have looked into it and have a ton of ideas, and would be chomping at the
>> bit to actually work on this. The issues that have arisen are mainly of
>> political, policy, or resources not technical feasibility.  I know that if
>> I'd be willing to work on it right away, along with many others, if these
>> issues could be solved or handled by people with that sort of expertise
>> dealing with the non-technical aspects. Maybe some existing support org
>> would be interested in stepping forward to coordinate, and work towards
>> such a solution?
>>
>> With that being said, I expect that there are some ongoing efforts toward
>> such efforts, who maybe acting under the radar for various reasons, and
>> wouldn't want to step on any toes.
>>
>> -Andrew
>>
>> On May 28, 2013, at 8:09 AM, Eleanor Saitta <ella at dymaxion.org> wrote:
>>
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>>> On 2013.05.27 10.57, Yosem Companys wrote:
>>>
>>>> From: *David Farber* <dave at farber.net <mailto:dave at farber.net>>
>>>>
>>>> Anyone believe this would actually work?
>>>>
>>>> LETTER A Digital ?Safe Haven? for Syria
>>>>
>>>>> http://www.nytimes.com/2013/**05/24/opinion/a-cyberattack-**
>>>>> campaign-for-syria.html<http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/24/opinion/a-cyberattack-campaign-for-syria.html>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>  Technically?  Yes.  I and other folks have done the logistical evals,
>>> looking at a variety of sites, etc.
>>>
>>> Politically?  That's a fascinating and open question.
>>>
>>> E.
>>>
>>> - -- Ideas are my favorite toys.
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>>
> --
> Gregory Foster || gfoster at entersection.org
> @gregoryfoster <> http://entersection.com/
>
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