Slashdot Mirror
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."
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.
So your answer is apathy? Attacks range from network disruption, altering important information, and espionage of business and government information.
Being apathetic of such a serious issue is completely ridiculous and I don't think many people realize the severity of these attacks. This isn't a geocities page getting shut down here.
Furthermore, what do these attacks symbolize? Are they the actions of a country whose face smiles at us and hands shake with us? Are we to maintain the facade of cooperation as they quietly attempt to devalue and destroy us?
Let me come to your house and steal your things. Will you stand there like a coward and worry about what I would do if you tried to stop me?
Yes, its dangerous to protect yourself and your property. But if you don't, you'll get chewed up anyway. GET REAL.