By Lee Webber
Guam is a critical linchpin in the maintenance of what we can refer to as civil world order and balance.
The world economy has methodically shifted during the last thirty years from the European theater to the Indo-Pacific region, or what I have previously referred to as the Great Blue Nation.
Whether we like or not, Guam is a target in the middle of the Pacific bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the Philippine Sea, and we cannot change our geography.
But we can harden it and protect ourselves from cyber as well as kinetic attacks as world powers play their game of power chess.
However, this hardening in the civilian community can only happen if the people who were elected to guide the island consciously and continuously recognize and address these dangers.
They are tasked with the development, implementation, aggressive and continuous active updating of a plan to protect our island and her people.
It is imperative that the government of Guam develop and constantly update a non-Department of Defense (DoD) critical infrastructure protection plan.
That said, this plan must be closely coordinated to work side-by-side with the DoD to ensure government of Guam plans are synchronized and kept up to date with active-ongoing DoD plans as they continuously update.
During recent months a number of Guam businesses have been hit hard (and in turn our community suffered) by various forms of cyber-attacks.
We are publicly aware of and were affected by some of them such as Guam Memorial Hospital (which continues to suffer today) and Docomo.
But, there were most certainly numerous other probing efforts that we have no knowledge of because companies or the military do not speak openly about them, nor did a large cross-section of the community feel the effects of their presence.
While many view cybersecurity primarily in terms of protecting sensitive data from hackers, it’s important to remember that cyber-attacks can also target critical infrastructure, like power grids and fuel and transportation systems, communications, water systems, sewer systems, and much more.
Given Guam’s location and reliance on critical imports for many basic necessities, a major cyber-attack or communications [breakdown] could have devastating economic and social consequences.
It’s even more essential, then, that our elected government officials take steps to protect us from these very real and potential threats.
One way to do this is by investing in cybersecurity infrastructure and ongoing training for government and the business community.
This includes everything from firewalls and anti-virus software to repeatedly educating employees about safe online practices.
This is even more important given the advent and growth of artificial intelligence systems and the realities of what they are capable of doing.
Additionally, we should be careful about the information we share online and the devices we use to access the internet. Even something as seemingly innocuous as checking your email on a public Wi-Fi network can place you at significant risk.
Ultimately, protecting Guam from cyber and kinetic threats requires a multi-pronged total community approach, covering individual- along with government (local and federal) responsibility and action.
We need to work together with the government of Guam and DoD to keep our island safe and secure.
Be ready, it’s not too late to “Harden up Guam,” protect our people and all our critical infrastructure.
Esta.
Lee P. Webber is a businessman and civic advocate, the former publisher of the Pacific Daily News, a former president and publisher of the Honolulu Advertiser, and a former director of operations for USA Today International/Asia
