Ex-CIA CTO: don’t believe everything you hear about hacking
The former CTO of America's Central Intelligence Agency, Bob Flores, has said the gravest cyber security threat facing the world is the lack of protection for critical infrastructure and the internet of things – and that it's worth challenging narratives about attacks from nation states that get repeated without criticism.
Bob Flores spent 31 years at the CIA in various roles – holding positions in the Directorate of Intelligence, Directorate of Support, and the National Clandestine Service. He held the CTO role for three years then left to become CEO at consultancy Applicology Incorporated, before founding Cognitio.
"I worry a lot about critical infrastructure," said Flores, speaking with Techworld at a cybersecurity event in London. "We haven't seen a lot happen there – because where's the money in it? But could we get to the point where somebody might go after a power grid somewhere, and say: I'll turn the power grid back on for a billion dollars? I'm not sure such a thing would be realistic today but it might be in the future."
