US: Military Response Possible in Case of Cyber Attack
Tuesday, May 31st, 2011
The U.S. Defense Department says it will consider all options, including a military response, if the United States is hit with a cyber attack.
A Pentagon spokesman, Colonel David Lapan, said Tuesday a response to a cyber attack would not necessarily be a cyber response. He said the United States reserves the right to do various things in response, just like it would if it were attacked with explosives or the use of force.
Lapan spoke as the Pentagon is developing its first guidelines about possible U.S. responses to attacks on key computer systems. The document is expected to be issued in the coming weeks.
He declined to provide details about the document, but said it will likely not describe specific responses for specific types of attacks.
The Pentagon initiative is part of the Obama administration's new strategy of ensuring an open, secure and reliable Internet.
The White House recently released its International Strategy for Cyberspace, which says the United States will use “all necessary means” to defend its vital cyber assets. The strategy contains few specifics, but outlines priorities that include building Internet capacity, improving Internet governance and promoting military cooperation on cyberspace issues to protect networks from attack.
President Obama has made cybersecurity a priority in his administration. In 2009, he noted that the U.S. defense and military networks are under constant attack.
Officials say the U.S. military now considers cyberspace an operational domain, just like land, sea, air and space. They say more than 100 foreign intelligence services have the ability to launch cyber attacks, as do countless criminal organizations and individual hackers.
US: Military Response Possible in Case of Cyber Attack
Article from VOA
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