| Recurring |
one_organization, multiple_organization |
(a) The software failure incident having happened again at one_organization:
- The article mentions that the cybersecurity firm Symantec found the method used against banks in 31 countries, indicating a recurrence of the software failure incident at multiple organizations [61296].
(b) The software failure incident having happened again at multiple_organization:
- The cybersecurity firm Symantec found the method used against banks in 31 countries, suggesting that the software failure incident has occurred at multiple organizations [61296]. |
| Phase (Design/Operation) |
design, operation |
(a) The article mentions a cyberattack in India that used malware capable of learning as it spread and altering its methods to stay in the system for as long as possible. This malware was considered an early indicator of A.I. and could mimic the behavior of the system's users [61296]. This incident highlights a failure in the design phase, where the malware was able to exploit weaknesses in the system's design and behavior to evade detection and remain undetected for an extended period.
(b) The article also discusses how cyberattacks, such as spear-phishing attacks, are being tested in English- and French-speaking African countries to hone the attackers' skills. These attacks involve sending messages containing dangerous malware that appear innocuous to trick victims into opening links or attachments [61296]. This scenario points to a failure in the operation phase, where the misuse of the system by unsuspecting users can lead to successful cyberattacks. |
| Boundary (Internal/External) |
within_system, outside_system |
(a) within_system: The software failure incident described in the articles is primarily due to contributing factors that originate from within the system. The malware discovered in India was able to learn and adapt within the system, mimicking the behavior of the system's users to remain undetected for as long as possible [61296]. Additionally, the cyberattack on the central bank of Bangladesh involved attackers exploiting a weakness in the bank's computers by undermining its accounts on the Swift international money transfer system, which was an unprecedented form of cyberattack [61296].
(b) outside_system: The articles also mention that developing economies like India provide a fertile testing ground for hackers to try out new cyberattacks before deploying them against entities with more advanced defenses [61296]. This indicates that external factors, such as the cybersecurity landscape and defenses in different countries, play a role in shaping the nature and impact of software failure incidents. |
| Nature (Human/Non-human) |
non-human_actions |
(a) The software failure incident occurring due to non-human actions:
- The article mentions a cyberattack in India that used malware capable of learning as it spread and altering its methods to stay in the system for as long as possible. This malware had early indicators of artificial intelligence (A.I.) as it could figure out its surroundings and mimic the behavior of the system's users [61296].
- The malware discovered by Darktrace researchers in India was able to learn while in the system, trying to copy the actions of the network to blend in. This attack used A.I. techniques to remain undetected for as long as possible [61296].
(b) The software failure incident occurring due to human actions:
- The article discusses how cybersecurity experts speculate that the cyberattack on the |
| Dimension (Hardware/Software) |
software |
(a) The articles do not provide information about a software failure incident occurring due to contributing factors originating in hardware.
(b) The articles discuss software failure incidents related to cybersecurity attacks using malicious software, such as malware that could learn as it spread and altered its methods to stay undetected in the system [61296]. The malware discovered by Darktrace researchers used AI techniques to learn the behaviors of employees on the network to remain undetected for as long as possible. Additionally, the attack on the central bank of Bangladesh involved attackers exploiting a weakness in the bank's computers by undermining its accounts on the Swift international money transfer system, showcasing a software failure incident related to cyberattacks [61296]. |
| Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) |
malicious, non-malicious |
(a) The objective of the software failure incident was malicious, as it involved a cyberattack in India using malware that could learn as it spread and altered its methods to stay undetected in the system [61296]. The attack was described as having the hallmarks of something researchers had dreaded for years, with malicious software using artificial intelligence that could lead to a new digital arms race [61296].
(b) The articles also mention non-malicious software failures, such as the cyberattack on the central bank of Bangladesh in February 2016, believed to have been carried out by hackers linked to North Korea. This attack exploited a previously unexplored weakness in the bank's computers by undermining its accounts on the Swift international money transfer system [61296]. |
| Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) |
unknown |
The articles do not provide information about a software failure incident related to poor_decisions or accidental_decisions. |
| Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) |
accidental |
(a) The articles do not provide information about a software failure incident occurring due to development incompetence.
(b) The articles mention incidents where cyberattacks were carried out by hackers testing their skills in countries with potentially weaker defenses, such as in developing economies like India, Southeast Asia, Africa, and other parts of the world. These incidents can be considered accidental failures as they are not intentional system failures but rather the result of hackers exploiting vulnerabilities in systems that may not have advanced defenses in place [61296]. |
| Duration |
unknown |
The articles do not provide information about a specific software failure incident being permanent or temporary. |
| Behaviour |
other |
(a) crash: The articles do not specifically mention a software failure incident related to a crash where the system loses state and does not perform any of its intended functions.
(b) omission: The articles do not specifically mention a software failure incident related to omission where the system omits to perform its intended functions at an instance(s).
(c) timing: The articles do not specifically mention a software failure incident related to timing where the system performs its intended functions correctly, but too late or too early.
(d) value: The articles do not specifically mention a software failure incident related to value where the system performs its intended functions incorrectly.
(e) byzantine: The articles do not specifically mention a software failure incident related to a byzantine failure where the system behaves erroneously with inconsistent responses and interactions.
(f) other: The behavior of the software failure incident described in the articles is related to a sophisticated cyberattack using artificial intelligence (A.I.) that could learn as it was spreading, mimic the behavior of the system's users, and alter its methods to stay in the system for as long as possible. The malware discovered by Darktrace researchers used A.I. techniques to learn the behaviors of employees on the network to remain undetected. This behavior could be categorized as a form of sophisticated and adaptive attack strategy, which does not fit into the traditional failure categories mentioned above. |