There is an interesting piece running on several web news outlets and twitter is abuzz with HBGary Federal being hacked by Anonymous. HBGary was in the news less than 3 days ago stating they were tracking down members of Anonymous and aiding the FBI.

Last month we ran a piece Crime is still Crime and were assessing the risks of non-security firms "attacking back."

http://www.isc.sans.org/diary.html?storyid=10300

With today's events and HBGary having an incident it re-enforces the advice for of assess your risk and posture before attacking back. Esspecially for those that are not in the Information Security field. If your revenue driver is making baby bottles then ask yourself is this the right move and do I have the skill set on staff.

Less than 3 days ago:
http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/Cyberactivists-warned-arrest-ftimes-3487898538.html?x=0
Today:
http://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2011/02/07/hbgary-federal-hacked-and-exposed-by-anonymous/

I have been following these events (And will continue to follow) from the start as they cross government lines and this could set legal precedent for the future. Let's stay tuned as this takes shape.

And remember a paraphrase/quote from Cliff Stoll's The Cuckoo's Egg "Professionals don't make big mistakes, they make little ones!"

Richard Porter

--- ISC Handler on Duty