ENISA questions resilience of the internet

Cyber security agency wants research conducted into internet stability and vulnerability

Despite remarkable resilience to date, the internet's proper functioning is increasingly vulnerable on several counts that need to be addressed, according to a report from The European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA).

The report Resilience of the Internet Interconnection Ecosystem, argues that first the internet is vulnerable to "common mode technical failures" where systems are disrupted in many places simultaneously as a result of problems with utilities such as electricity, for example.

Second, the report argues that there are concerns about the viability of the current business model, which is cheap and becoming cheaper and many tier one operators are losing money – it isn't clear how future capital investment will be financed.

Third, many of the things internet providers can do to make the network more resilient will benefit their competitors as much or more than themselves.

Fourth, there is remarkably little reliable information about the size and shape of the internet infrastructure or its daily operation – this hinders attempts to assess its resilience.

In light of how completely dependent we are on the internet the report highlights the likely global impact in the event of a widespread failure.

"A systemic failure of the internet would cause significant problems for several sectors including energy, transport, finance, healthcare and the economy. Intentional, unilateral restriction of access to the internet by government or other forces presents a real threat to economic and social welfare and can severely affect the right of citizens to have access to information and services."

Professor Udo Helmbrecht, executive director of ENISA, said: "The stability of the internet is critical to the economy of modern societies, therefore we must assess whether the resilience mechanisms in place today will be effective in the future crises of tomorrow."