[ISN] Pentagon debates development of offensive cyberspace capabilities

From: InfoSec News <alerts_at_private>
Date: Mon, 8 Sep 2008 03:07:55 -0500 (CDT)
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-na-cyber8-2008sep08,0,909623.story

By Julian E. Barnes
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
September 8, 2008

WASHINGTON -- Igniting a provocative new debate, senior military 
officials are pushing the Pentagon to go on the offensive in cyberspace 
by developing the ability to attack other nations' computer systems, 
rather than concentrating on defending America's electronic security.

Under the most sweeping proposals, military experts would acquire the 
know-how to commandeer the unmanned aerial drones of adversaries, 
disable enemy warplanes in mid-flight and cut off electricity at precise 
moments to strategic locations, such as military installations, while 
sparing humanitarian facilities, such as hospitals.

An expansion of offensive capabilities in cyberspace would represent an 
important change for the military. For years, U.S. officials have been 
reluctant to militarize what is widely seen as a medium for commerce and 
communication -- much like space.

But a new National Military Strategy for Cyberspace Operations, 
declassified earlier this year, fueled the Pentagon debate and gave the 
military a green light to push for expanded capabilities.

The monthslong debate took on added urgency after the electronic attacks 
that coincided with the Russian military's early August push into 
Georgia and reflects a newfound uncertainty over the state of global 
cyber-warfare capabilities.

Military officials have not concluded whether the electronic network 
attacks in Georgia were coordinated by Moscow or were the work of 
freelance hackers or paramilitary groups. Still, the use of cyberspace 
by Russia and other countries is drawing intense scrutiny by the 
Pentagon.

[...]


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Received on Mon Sep 08 2008 - 01:07:55 PDT

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