On October 20th, 2011, Donna Miles reported for the American Forces Press Service on how new doctrine laying out the rules of engagement for cyberspace is currently under review. Army Gen. Keith B. Alexander, the commander of US Cyber Command, told reporters that the doctrine, once adpoted, will define conditions in which the military can go on the offensive against cyber threats and what specific actions it can take. The doctrine will also support the DOD's strategy for operating in cyberspace. Upon approval, Cyber Command will issue guidance to cyber warriors describing how the US will operate in cyberspace and how to structure training accordingly. Gen. Alexander noted that the law of armed conflict still applies to cyberspace, and the challenge is to translate laws that govern physical space to cyberspace, the fifth domain of conflict.
The doctrine will reportedly address what constitutes a war in cyberspace, what represents a reasonable and proportional response to a cyber attack, whether the concept of proportional defense extends to shutting down a malicious computer network, and most importantly, who has the authority: the FBI, the National Security Agency, the military, the Internet service provider or another entity?
Gen. Alexander went on to say that the doctrine will shape how the military trains its cyber warriors; current training focuses on network security, but the change in doctrine may prompt a change to training for more “full-spectrum” operations against threats. Cyber Command will “train our force to the standard and ensure that we do it exactly right,” he said.
The source article can be found here.
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