Secret legal review: Obama has broad power to order preemptive cyberstrike
While many potential targets are military, a country’s power grids, financial systems and communications networks can also be crippled. Even more complex, nonstate actors, like terrorists or criminal groups, can mount attacks, and it is often difficult to tell who is responsible. Some critics have said the cyberthreat is being exaggerated by contractors and consultants who see billions in potential earnings.
One senior American official said that officials quickly determined that the cyberweapons were so powerful that — like nuclear weapons — they should be unleashed only on the direct orders of the commander in chief.
A possible exception would be in cases of narrowly targeted tactical strikes by the military, like turning off an air defense system during a conventional strike against an adversary.
“There are very, very few instances in cyberoperations in which the decision will be made at a level below the president,” the official said. That means the administration has ruled out the use of “automatic” retaliation if a cyberattack on America’s infrastructure is detected, even if the virus is traveling at network speeds.
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Silly is what it is. How about this? Take the freaking sensitive systems off of the public internet. Problem solved for the most part. Then all you have to worry about is moles in the works. A while ago the was a part time job listed for a Dam controller. All you needed was a computer, internet connection and a willingness to get wet if needed. All dam functions were controlled over the internet. All I ask is why?
Dr. Frank Enstine on February 4, 2013 at 8:19 AM
Secret legal review: Obama has broad power to order preemptive cyberstrike .
Against ?
Lucano on February 4, 2013 at 8:25 AM
What stands out is the neutral tone these articles possess. There’s no deeper investigation of the consequences attached to this authority.
The story reads like the NYT is fine with it because it’s Obama.
As for the use of nuclear weapons, there are longstanding protocols that have been refined and supplemented by other branches of government, and different agencies within the executive branch. These rules have been qualified over many years and many administrations.
The little nuggets contained in this article tell me that this administration believes that they have unrestricted authority to use such weapons when and if they choose based on the circumstances. They just won’t define circumstances. They only define the authority.
ironbill on February 4, 2013 at 10:27 AM