How Realistic is Netflix’s ‘Leave The World Behind’
In the Netflix thriller “Leave The World Behind,” starring Julia Roberts and Ethan Hawke, hackers plunge the United States into chaos, setting the stage for an apocalyptic scenario. Produced by Barack and Michelle Obama and based on a 2020 novel, the film’s release coincided with real-world cyber threats and warnings. However, as we delve into the events portrayed in the movie, experts in the cybersecurity field are quick to dispel the notion of a catastrophic nationwide cyberattack.
Real-World Concerns:
The movie’s plot draws eerie parallels to actual events, such as a Russian cyberattack on a Ukrainian telecom company and an Iranian-linked group compromising US water utilities. These incidents raised legitimate concerns, prompting a UK parliamentary committee to question the country’s readiness for a severe ransomware incident.
Realism Check:
Experts argue against the plausibility of catastrophic events depicted in the movie, such as planes falling from the sky or ships running aground. While hacking systems on planes and boats is technically possible, most vehicles have safeguards in place to allow human intervention, preventing such disastrous outcomes.
Resilience of Systems:
Peter Nicoletti, a cybersecurity prepper at Check Point Software Technologies, emphasizes the resilience of critical infrastructure. Energy systems, undersea cables, robust cyber defenses, and human intervention act as formidable safeguards. While acknowledging the potential for sector-specific cyberattacks, he points to the 2021 Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack as a case study in inducing panic without triggering a nationwide catastrophe.
Challenges of a Nationwide Cyberattack:
Even for a cybersecurity prepper like Nicoletti, the prospect of cutting off an entire country is acknowledged as a daunting task. The interconnected nature of modern systems and the presence of numerous safeguards make it challenging for a digital adversary to execute a devastating nationwide cyberattack without severe consequences, including potential human casualties.
PivIT Strategy’s Cybersecurity Expert:
The ominous portrayal in “Leave The World Behind,” cybersecurity expert Jeff Wolverton expressed “the extent of impact from the cyber attacks in the movie is a little far fetched, but it would not be impossible. If nothing more, it raises more awareness on the need for cybersecurity, even with a fictional example, and adds to realization that we need to be aware and do all we can to protect ourselves.”
Conclusion:
While “Leave The World Behind” serves as a gripping portrayal of a cyber-apocalyptic scenario, cybersecurity experts reassure the public that, for now, the likelihood of such an event remains more in the realm of fiction than reality. The ongoing efforts to fortify critical infrastructure, coupled with the inherent resilience of interconnected systems, provide a level of assurance against the doomsday scenarios depicted on screen. As the world grapples with evolving cyber threats, separating fact from fiction becomes crucial in understanding the true nature of our digital vulnerabilities.
