The ``Electronic Intrusion Threat to NS/EP Telecommunications'' report states that because toll fraud is not seen as being directly related to the performance of Government agencies' ability to perform NS/EP missions, toll fraud is considered a significant problem, but one with undefined NS/EP implications.
The telecommunications networks resulting from ONA requirements are more vulnerable to fraud than networks existing before ONA requirements. If assets (e.g., application system services, network software, and switches) are not adequately protected, then many vulnerabilities exist. Exploitation of these vulnerabilities can result in fraud and financial loss. ONA implementations provide a large number and range of services. It is possible for computer intruders motivated by greed to exploit vulnerabilities in the PSN for financial gain by selling and using services that are not paid for. As a result of ONA, the services available to the general public represent a market in excess of $10B in 1988, growing to $30B in 1995 [10].
As computer intruders learn more about the inner workings of network software, and are able to use more and more services without charge, disruption or denial of service for authorized users, and integrity and privacy problems as well as fraud may result.