Examining Russian Information Warfare Threats

0:00 - Introduction
4:40 - Ambassador David J. Smith
26:15 - Dr. Khatuna Mshvidobadze
52:16 - Q&A



Abstract:

Recently, Russia has seized upon the global Covid-19 pandemic as an opportunity to use its multifaceted, multi-directional information and cyber warfare strategy against its prospective enemies. Russian state-sponsored hackers are using the coronavirus to spread different types of malware against Western nations. Yet these attacks are only one example of Russia's information warfare efforts.

This presentation considers Russian cyber threats within geopolitical, cultural and historical contexts. It highlights the role of siloviki (people of power) and examines the structural units of the Russian Federal Security service (FSB) and Russian military intelligence (GRU), their projects and their networks of allied criminal groups. It discusses how intelligence organizations are using APT groups through complex outsourcing strategies to conduct cyber warfare over a broad spectrum.

The presentation suggests several factors that drive the current trends in Russian cyber capabilities and surveys current trends: growing sophistication of TTPs and tools, supply chain threats, false flag operations, deception tactics, third party entry vectors and cyber espionage. Finally, this talk covers the role and mission of the Russian Foundation for Advanced Research Projects in the Defense Industry and the Russian Army’s Technopolis.


Speakers:


Ambassador David J. Smith is Professor of Practice for Cybersecurity Policy at Utica College. He brings the experience of a 35-year career in international relations, including the US Air Force, Intelligence Community, Defense and State Departments, both houses of Congress and extensive think tank experience. His diplomatic experience includes multilateral, alliance-to-alliance and bilateral negotiations. Just before joining UC, he worked in Georgia for twelve years, first as the US Member of the International Security Advisory Board, and then as an adviser to various Georgian Government agencies. He was also a foreign affairs columnist for Tbilisi 24 Saati. Since 2010, his constantly updated presentation "Russian Cyber Capabilities, Policy and Practice" has been made around the globe. From 1989 until the demise of the Soviet Union, he was US Ambassador at the US-Soviet Defense and Space talks. He holds degrees from the University of Arizona, London School of Economics and Harvard University.



Khatuna Mshvidobadze, Ph.D. is a Professorial Lecturer of Cybersecurity at The George Washington University and an Adjunct Professor of Cybersecurity at Utica College, NY. She is also a Senior Fellow at the Rondeli Foundation in Tbilisi, Georgia. She has been Deputy Director of the Information Center on NATO in Georgia and Advisor to the Office of the Minister of Defense of Georgia. Her presentations on “Russian Cyber Threats” have been presented at FBI Headquarters and field offices, US Department of Homeland Security, US Department of Defense, US Department of Justice, US Defense Intelligence Agency, Office of the US Secretary of Defense as well as in various American private companies, think tanks, institutions, and associations. Dr. Mshvidobadze holds a B.A. in English and Western Literature from Tbilisi State University, an M.B.A. from Caucasus School of Business, an M.S. in Cyber Forensics and Intelligence from Utica College, NY and a Ph.D. from Georgian Technical University. She is a native Georgian speaker, fluent in English, Russian and conversational in Turkish.

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