Army recruiting cyber warriors from outside military

Experts in network security with higher salaries to be hired due to shortfall in skilled military personnel.

INTERNET & WARFARE 

Army recruiting cyber warriors from outside military

3/01/2017

Wassana Nanuam

The army plans to recruit civilians to work as cyber warriors at its cyber crime security centre.

These experts in computer network technology and computer security will be employed to help combat cyber attacks.

They will also help the army enhance its computer system technology due to a shortage of military officers who specialise in the field. 

This is according to army commander-in-chief Chalermchai Sittisat speaking on Monday.

CYBER ATTACKS AGAINST GOVT WEBSITES 

The recruitment project comes after a wave of cyber attacks targeting several government websites last month.

The Civilians Against Single Gateway group claimed responsibility for the attacks.

The group says it launched the attacks in protest against the amended Computer Crime Act earlier approved by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA).

RECRUIT CIVILIAN CYBER SECURITY EXPERTS & PAY A HIGHER SALARY

Gen Chalermchai said the new recruitment would create a military unit of cyber warriors working for the government similar to those found in other countries.

"We don't have enough personnel with expertise in cyber security." 

"Therefore, we need to recruit civilians for our centre, who can manage it properly and earn a reasonable salary," Gen Chalermchai said.

STRICT BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR NEW HIRES 

The army chief brushed aside concerns that civilians could be recruited as spies or leak state information. 

Applicants for the new jobs will undergo strict background checks before they are hired, he said.

DIFFICULT TO TRACK DOWN HACKERS 

Gen Chalermchai admitted it was difficult tracking down hackers as they had extensive networks both in Thailand and abroad.

However, he said state computer systems were only affected briefly by their attacks, adding no damage was done to important databases.

Several suspects have been arrested by the military in connection with the series of cyber attacks last month.

However, the precise number of suspects or their whereabouts has yet to be confirmed.

Gen Chalermchai said the government was also trying to build understanding among the public about the amended law.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1173465/army-plans-to-hire-cyber-warrior-civilians

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