Page 23 - The Edge - Spring 2018

WINTER CONFERENCE

BY DON HARRIS
Ex-FBI Agent Tells How to Minimize

Chances for a Cyber Attack
Robert Meshinsky
Cyber security attacks are pervasive and scary, but a former FBI hacker posing as a delivery person could have instant access. Hackers
agent o ered several suggestions on how to prevent bad guys from are out there scanning networks to see where an opening is. If they get
hacking your computer – or at least make it more di cult for them. into your computer at your desk, they could have access to your entire
In an entertaining keynote address at AASBO’s Winter Conference network. Some hackers will spend days, months, even years to get into
on January 31, Robert Meshinsky delved into the world of cyber crime a system and exploit it, he said.
and what to do if you’re hacked. It’s a topic that should concern school “ ere’s a lot of information there,” Meshinsky said. “ ey will take
business o cials and anyone who owns a computer. advantage of every weakness inside a system. You need a security patch
Meshinsky, with a resume that includes special FBI agent in Phoenix on your computer.”
for 20 years, several private sector security positions and even disk A patch is a piece of so ware designed to update a computer
jockey, said hacking has been around for a long time. program and x security vulnerabilities.
He de ned three types of hacking. Traditional hacking, in which Once you’ve been hacked, you should initiate a cyber recovery plan,
someone is manipulating technology to make it do something that it is Meshinsky said. “If you don’t have one, get one, because some day you
not designed to do. Sinister hacking occurs when someone is breaking will be compromised. Who is on the recovery team and what are their
into computers and network systems without permission, usually for responsibilities?”
nancial gain. ere is also ethical hacking, such as using computer If a school system is hacked, it can a ect vendors, payroll, teachers
attack techniques to nd security aws with the permission of the and even student information. You need to know if you are able to
target owner and the goal of improving the target’s security. take the infected system o ine to preserve the evidence. Meshinsky
Hackers usually do a lot of planning, Meshinsky said. But if you
leave your desk for a few minutes and leave your computer open, a CONTINUED ON PAGE 24

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