Common Core State Standard L.CCS.1/2/3/4 Grades 6-12: Video of a current news event is presented for discussion to encourage student participation, but also inspire the use of evidence to support logical claims using the main ideas of the video. Students must analyze background information provided about a current event, draw out the main ideas and key details, and review different opinions on the issue. Then, students should present their own claims using facts and analysis for support.
10/15/2018
Report: Pentagon Weapons Systems Are At Risk Of Cyberattacks
Almost all of the Pentagon's newer weapons are vulnerable to cyberattacks, according to a new government report on cybersecurity tests from 2012 to 2017. Many of the testers, posing as hackers, were able to easily guess login information — some passwords had reportedly never been changed from their factory settings. The report said hackers used "simple tools and techniques ... to take control of systems and largely operate undetected." It also said the military failed to fix cybersecurity threats that were identified in earlier tests.
■Class discussion: Does the vulnerability of the U.S. military to hackers surprise you? Why does the Pentagon seem to have such problems fixing simple cybersecurity threats like not changing passwords? If the nation’s weapons can be taken over by hackers, do you think other government operations are safe? How about elections? Do you trust government institutions, schools and businesses to keep your personal information safe? What are you doing to protect yourself from hackers? Do you use simple, unchanging passwords that are easy to guess?