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Title Technology, policy, law, and ethics regarding U.S. acquisition and use of cyberattack capabilities / William A. Owens, Kenneth W. Dam, and Herbert S. Lin, editors ; Committee on Offensive Information Warfare, Computer Science and Telecommunications Board, Division of Engineering and Physical Sciences, National Research Council of the National Academies
Published Washington, D.C. : National Academies Press, ©2009

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Description 1 online resource ([xviii, 304] pages)
Contents Synopsis -- 1. Overview, findings, and recommendations -- Part I: Framing and Basic Technology -- 2. Technical and operational considerations in cyberattack and cyberexploitation -- Part II: Mission and Institutional Perspectives -- 3. A military perspective on cyberattack -- 4. An intelligence community perspective on cyberattack and cyberexploitation -- 5. Perspectives on cyberattack outside national security -- 6. Decision making and oversight -- Part III: Intellectual Tools for Understanding and Thinking About Cyberattack -- 7. Legal and ethical perspectives on cyberattack -- 8. Insights from related areas -- 9. Speculations on the dynamics of cyberconflict -- 10. Alternative futures -- Appendixes: A: Biographies of committee members and staff ; B: Meeting participants and other contributors ; C: Illustrative criminal cyberattacks ; D: Views on the use of force in cyberspace ; E: Technical vulnerabilities targeted by cyber offensive actions
Summary The US armed forces, among other intelligence agencies, are increasingly dependent on information and information technology for both civilian and military purposes. Although there is ample literature written on the potential impact of an offensive or defensive cyberattack on societal infrastructure, little has been written about the use of cyberattack as a national policy tool. This book focuses on the potential for the use of such attacks by the United States and its policy implications. Since the primary resource required for a cyberattack is technical expertise, these attacks can be implemented by terrorists, criminals, individuals and corporate actors. Cyberattacks can be used by U.S. adversaries against particular sectors of the U.S. economy and critical national infrastructure that depend on computer systems and networks. Conversely, they can be used by the U.S. intelligence community with adequate organizational structure and appropriate oversight. Focusing on the use of cyberattack as an instrument of U.S. national policy, Technology, Policy, Law and Ethics Regarding U.S. Acquisition and Use of Cyberattack Capabilities explores the important characteristics of cyberattacks and why they are relatively ideal for covert action. Experts argue that the United States should establish a national policy for launching cyberattacks, whether for purposes of exploitation, offense or defense for all sectors of government. This book will be of special interest to the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, law enforcement, and the greater intelligence community
The US armed forces, among other intelligence agencies, are increasingly dependent on information and information technology for both civilian and military purposes. Although there is ample literature written on the potential impact of an offensive or defensive cyberattack on societal infrastructure, little has been written about the use of cyberattack as a national policy tool. This book focuses on the potential for the use of such attacks by the United States and its policy implications
Since the primary resource required for a cyberattack is technical expertise, these attacks can be implemented by terrorists, criminals, individuals and corporate actors. Cyberattacks can be used by U.S. adversaries against particular sectors of the U.S. economy and critical national infrastructure that depend on computer systems and networks. Conversely, they can be used by the U.S. intelligence community with adequate organizational structure and appropriate oversight
Focusing on the use of cyberattack as an instrument of U.S. national policy, Technology, Policy, Law and Ethics Regarding U.S. Acquisition and Use of Cyberattack Capabilities explores the important characteristics of cyberattacks and why they are relatively ideal for covert action. Experts argue that the United States should establish a national policy for launching cyberattacks, whether for purposes of exploitation, offense or defense for all sectors of government. This book will be of special interest to the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, law enforcement, and the greater intelligence community
Notes Print version record
Subject Information warfare -- Government policy -- United States
Cyberterrorism -- Government policy -- United States
Information technology -- Military aspects -- United States
HISTORY -- Military -- Biological & Chemical Warfare.
United States
Form Electronic book
Author Owens, William A., 1940-
Dam, Kenneth W.
Lin, Herbert.
National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Offensive Information Warfare.
ISBN 9780309138512
0309138515