Skip to main content

Pentagon declares cyber attacks ‘acts of war’

the-pentagon-cyber-attackThe Pentagon has officially declared that cyber attacks on US computer systems, networks and infrastructures can constitute an “act of war,” reports the Wall Street Journal. This means that if another country hacks US-run digital properties, traditional military force could be used in retaliation.

The decision is part of the federal government’s first formal strategy against cyber threats. More details about the strategy will emerge sometime next month, when unclassified portions of the plan are released to the public.

Following a breach of a US military computer system in 2008, the Pentagon has been on a mission to form an official response to cyber threats, which could affect everything from subway systems to nuclear reactors. The computer network at the Pentagon itself was recently under siege. And just this weekend, defense contractor Lockheed Martin admitted that its systems had been hacked.

By making it public that cyber attacks could instigate a traditional attack by the US military, with bombs and guns, the Pentagon hopes to deter possible attackers. Or, as one military official succinctly put it: “If you shut down our power grid, maybe we will put a missile down one of your smokestacks.”

It is not yet clear, however, what type of cyber attack would justify the use of military force. One policy that is reportedly gaining popularity is that of “equivalence,” a sort of eye-for-an-eye strategy through which “use of force” would only be employed if the cyber attack also caused death, or significant damage, disruption or destruction.

The new strategy is not without its inherent complications. For instance, it can often be difficult to know for sure who waged a cyber attack, which makes the use of force far more risky, politically speaking. Among the many questions stirred by the new strategy is how the US would respond to an attack that originates from non-governmental entities, i.e. cyber-terrorists, or hackers otherwise independent of a particular government. (Of course, we all know how the US responds when an “act of war” is launched by an analog terrorist.)

Regardless of the current details, the need for a cyber attack strategy is obvious. According to the military personnel who have seen the Pentagon’s strategy in its entirety, the rules laid out will abide by the standard Laws of Armed Conflict, and mesh with the strategies of international allies.

Editors' Recommendations

Andrew Couts
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Features Editor for Digital Trends, Andrew Couts covers a wide swath of consumer technology topics, with particular focus on…
Save $400 on this Dell PC with an RTX 4070, 32GB of RAM, 1TB SSD
The Dell XPS desktop on a table.

If you're willing to spend on desktop computer deals for a machine that will offer flagship performance for all of your needs, it's highly recommended that you go with the Dell XPS Desktop 8960. This certain configuration that's on sale from Dell will let you enjoy savings of $400 on its original price of $2,250, so you'll have to pay $1,850 -- it's still not cheap, but it's going to be worth every single penny at this discounted price. You're going to have to be quick though -- this is a clearance sale, so there's no telling when the offer expires and when stocks will run out.

Why you should buy the Dell XPS Desktop 8960
The Dell XPS Desktop 8960 isn't just an excellent PC -- it's our top pick among the best desktop computers for its flexibility to accommodate almost any budget and purpose. This particular model of the PC features the 13th-generation Intel Core i9 processor, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, and 32GB of RAM, which will make it more than enough to tackle even the most demanding tasks, while also offering high-end gaming potential to play the best PC games for whenever you need to take a break from work.

Read more
Best color laser printers for 2024: tested and reviewed
A Brother printer on a counter in front of a brick wall.

The best color laser printers can be a great investment, saving you quite a bit of time and money. For shoppers worried about the long-term ink costs, you'll find color laser printers surprisingly affordable. Laser printers use toner, which lasts a very long time, delivering a low cost per page for monochrome documents and fast color prints. The best color laser printers offer quick performance and reliability to help keep your home office or small business productive.

If you need to scan documents for record-keeping and photo capture or want the convenience of a color copier, an all-in-one color laser printer is an essential tool for your small business or personal use. For a small added cost, you get expanded capabilities. That's why every model on this list is an all-in-one from the best printer brands.

Read more
The 5 best Wi-Fi adapters for PC in 2024
The Ugreen AC1300 Wi-Fi adapter in a desktop PC.

Whether you're designing it yourself or getting a pre-built PC, it can be easy to get a computer and realize that it doesn't have a native Wi-Fi adapter. Or, maybe it does, but you're internet speeds are getting faster, game downloads are getting bigger, you've already upgraded your router and need an adapter to match your newfound power requirements. No matter the situation, an external Wi-Fi adapter that you can add to your PC setup or even laptop setup will be worth your time. Here, we investigate the best Wi-Fi adapters for PC use. Most are incredibly affordable and just snap into a free USB port and start working.
The best Wi-Fi adapter for PC in 2024

Buy the

Read more