General Alexander has the right idea. The US needs to be far more aggressive in combating and defeating cyber attacks against US infrastructure and military targets. Throughout the last decade, there have been a number of major security breaches at high level US government agencies which has resulted in sensitive information being compromised. This is completely unacceptable and should be considered an attack on US soil. We must continue to develop better technologies and strategies to stop these attacks before they happen.
WASHINGTON — The United States needs to develop offensive weapons in cyberspace as part of its effort to protect the nation from cyber attacks, a senior military official said Oct. 4.
“If your defense is only to try to block attacks you can never be successful,” Gen. Keith Alexander, director of the National Security Agency and commander of the U.S. Cyber Command, told a Washington symposium.
“At times, the government has to look at what you have to do to stop an attack — stop it before it happens. Part of our defense has to consider offensive measures.”
Alexander, who spoke at a cybersecurity summit sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said any offensive cyber action would need to follow rules of engagement similar to those in other military situations.
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