The US strategy of “deterrence” for cyber-attacks could involve a wide range or responses, potentially including the use of conventional weapons, the nation’s top cyber-warrior said Monday.
Admiral Michael Rogers, who heads the US Cyber Command as well as the National Security Agency, told a Washington forum that the idea of cyber-deterrence is evolving but that there are many ways to get that message across.
Because an opponent comes at us in the cyber domain doesn’t mean we have to respond in the cyber domain
“We think it’s important that potential adversaries out there know that this is part of our strategy.”
He said the US administration demonstrated this recently by ordering economic sanctions against North Korea following a damaging cyber-attack against Sony Pictures.
Asked whether conventional military weapons could be used to respond to attacks in cyberspace, Rogers said that many options are on the table.
He said the general policy of deterrence is based on the idea of conveying the message to potential attackers that they will not succeed or that “the price they will pay will far outweigh any benefit.”
Next time they invade another country it will not be over “weapons of mass destruction” but “cyber attacks”. Since Snowden we know the US is a rogue country.