Military Asserts Right To Respond To Cyberattacks

Hugh Pickens writes "AP reports that National Security Agency director Lt. Gen. Keith Alexander says the US should counter computer-based attacks swiftly and strongly and act to thwart or disable a threat even when the attacker's identity is unknown. 'Even with the clear understanding that we could experience damage to our infrastructure, we must be prepared to fight through in the worst case scenario,' wrote Alexander in a 32-page Senate questionnaire he answered in preparation for a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his nomination to head Cyber Command. Alexander offered a limited but rare description of offensive US cyber activities, saying the US has 'responded to threats, intrusions and even attacks against us in cyberspace,' and has conducted exercises and war games, adding that it is unclear whether or not those actions have deterred criminals, terrorists or nations."

Slippery slope...

[pushing-robot]

Let them respond to cyber attacks today and tomorrow they'll be asking if they can defend against physical attacks. I don't think we can afford to go down this road.

Re:When we confirm much of it is coming from China

[GrumblyStuff]

... will we realize that we should maybe consider possibly not putting nearly all of our business there?

Well, yeah, but it's more of a question if it'll hold our attention long enou- ooh, Entertainment Tonight is on!

Re:Slippery slope...

[Capsaicin]

Yes, its dangerous to protect yourself and your property. But if you don't, you'll get chewed up anyway.

So let me get this right. You are in all seriousness proposing the the Army responds to physical attacks against the country?! Wow, just wow!

Re:Tell me again...

[Capsaicin]

Why are essential systems connected to the internet?

Yeah, who let the military on the internet in the first place?!

The Cylon war is long over..

[gzipped_tar]

...but *why* are you USAers, as a people, worth saving?

Oh, you mean *cyber* attack. Duh.

Nixon on asymmetric warfare

[shoppa]

Perhaps the most wise thing Richard Nixon ever said:

President Richard Nixon reflected this outlook when he decided in 1969 to abandon the U.S. offensive germ warfare program. "We'll never use the damn germs, so what good is biological warfare as a deterrent?" Nixon told his speechwriter William Safire. "If somebody uses germs on us, we'll nuke 'em."

Hm...

[Comatose51]

This kind of attack can happen really fast, too fast for a human to respond to. Perhaps a machine would respond. While we're at it, why limit ourselves to fighting them in cyberspace? Let's take out their physical infrastructure. We don't want to put human soldiers in the way so let's use robots and drones. We'll need to control it all with good sight lines. Let's control them from the sky with a network.

Re:When we confirm much of it is coming from China

[Anonymous Coward]

"I would much rather buy less, but of higher quality, as produced by my fellow citizens "

You DO realize the above is an unAmerican mindset, don't you ?

Now get back in line and buy everything, whether you need it or not !!!

Re:Slippery slope...

[Anonymous Coward]

Sir! The attacks are coming from 127.0.0.1! Permission to engage?

Re:Slippery slope...

[poena.dare]

You know how moderating is; just one +1 insightful and then your traveling down the slippery slope to more.

what is needed

[binaryseraph]

Clearly what is needed is a coordinated network of computers and physical warfare technologies that can detect these threats and determine the proper course of action. I suggest we name this network Skynet.