The Wrath of the Heavenly Net--12.5 Billion Yen Telecommunications Disaster in 2009

The Wrath of the Heavenly Net--12.5 Billion Yen Telecommunications Disaster in 2009

One day in May 2017, computers around the world screamed silently. A ransom-demanding virus, dubbed "WannaCry," had struck without regard. It was not just malicious intent. It was a trap that someone had set for the world with an agenda.

Files could no longer be opened, and ransom demand text appeared on the screen. Many people were speechless in front of the inoperable screen. The problem was that it was not just a virus. Wanakrai had the power to spread itself. It spread through the network, infecting one terminal after another. Neither corporate walls nor hospital safety nets could stop it.

The virus was using a top-secret hacking tool originally developed by the National Security Agency (NSA) of the United States. The tool was leaked by someone and released into cyberspace. It then fell into the hands of a group believed to have ties to North Korea, where it changed form and bared its fangs.

The system ceased to function around the world, and medical facilities in the United Kingdom were unable to provide emergency care. This was the moment when human lives were exposed to the electronic curse. In the U.K. alone, the estimated damage was 12.5 billion yen. Logistics were disrupted, railroads were stopped, and the flow of information was disrupted.

Japan was not completely unscathed. According to a report by the National Police Agency, 21 cases of infection were confirmed in Japan. These included companies in Tokyo and Osaka, government agencies in Kanagawa Prefecture, and hospitals in Ibaraki Prefecture. Honda Motor Co. shut down its plant in Saitama Prefecture. Hitachi, Ltd. also experienced problems with its internal systems. Fortunately, the impact was limited.

There were several reasons why Japan was able to prevent the damage from spreading. The fact that the outbreak occurred on a Friday. Many companies were able to respond over the weekend. In addition, the fact that someone around the world accidentally discovered a "stop switch" that stopped the infection and broke the chain of spread was also a major factor. The government immediately set up a countermeasures office and increased its vigilance.

This incident was a stark reminder of the "reality" of cyber attacks for Japan. It was an opportunity for Japan to keenly realize the importance of being prepared for invisible enemies. Since then, companies have rushed to update old software and prepare for emergencies. Many people finally realized that behind the scenes of their daily operations, they needed the silent protector of security.

Wannacry was not just a virus. It was a "rebellion," an unexpected unleashing of a tool of the state that had been contained. And that revolt crept into the cracks of our lives and illuminated the boundaries between technology and ethics. We must not forget the quiet confusion of that day.