Zero Days

In his new film, Oscar®-winning documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney explores the phenomenon of Stuxnet, a self-replicating computer virus discovered in 2010 by international IT experts. Evidently commissioned by the US and Israeli governments, this malware was designed to specifically sabotage Iran’s nuclear programme.

However, the complex computer worm ended up not only infecting its intended target but also spreading uncontrollably. Although to this day officially denied, Stuxnet was created by two allied forces who were each pursuing their own agendas, and in doing so opened up the Pandora’s box of cyber warfare.

In Gibney’s film, insiders chronicle the development of a programme code-named „Olympic Games” – a malware which can paralyse the infrastructure of entire states in a split second without leaving any trace of those responsible. But with the emergence and exponential growth of cyberspace, it’s not necessary anymore to physically attack or even be physically present anywhere to do irreparable harm. “Right now, the norm is, do what you can get away with.” But as the documentary points out, what the U.S. can get away with in other countries might just as well be used — or is perhaps already being used — by other countries or groups against domestic targets.. Gibney has high-level experts such as Gen. Michael Hayden, former head of the NSA and CIA; Richard A. Clarke, Counterterrorism Advisor to three presidents before 2004; and Gary Samore, White House Coordinator for WMDs until 2013, talk in more general terms about cyber terrorism and how it relates to foreign and military policy.