US Cyber Offense is "The Best in the World"

[InfoSec News <alerts () infosecnews org>]

http://blogs.fas.org/secrecy/2013/08/cyber-offense/

By Steven Aftergood
Secrecy News
August 26, 2013

The subject of offensive cyber action by the U.S. government was 
classified for many years and was hardly discussed in public at all. Then 
several years ago the possibility of U.S. cyber offense was formally 
acknowledged, though it was mostly discussed in the conditional mood, as a 
capability that might be developed and employed under certain hypothetical 
circumstances.

Today, however, U.S. offensive cyber warfare is treated as an established 
fact. Not only that but, officials say, the U.S. military is pretty good 
at it.

"We believe our [cyber] offense is the best in the world," said Gen. Keith 
B. Alexander, director of the National Security Agency and Commander of 
U.S. Cyber Command. His comments appeared in newly published answers to 
questions for the record from a March 2013 hearing of the House Armed 
Services Committee (at p. 87).

"Cyber offense requires a deep, persistent and pervasive presence on 
adversary networks in order to precisely deliver effects," Gen. Alexander 
explained in response to a question from Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ). "We 
maintain that access, gain deep understanding of the adversary, and 
develop offensive capabilities through the advanced skills and tradecraft 
of our analysts, operators and developers. When authorized to deliver 
offensive cyber effects, our technological and operational superiority 
delivers unparalleled effects against our adversaries' systems."

[...]



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