Cyberwarfare rules included in Defense bill
May 10, 2011 - 11:26am
By Suzanne Kubota
Senior Internet Editor
Federal News Radio
Within the chairman's mark of the 2012 Defense Authorization bill is language
that would allow DoD to carry out clandestine operations in cyberspace against
targets located outside the United States and to defend against all attacks on
DoD assets.
Released Monday, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Howard P.
"Buck" McKeon, (R-Calif.) helps to define the Rules of Engagement in cyberspace
for the Defense Department, noting "because of the evolving nature of cyber
warfare, there is a lack of historical precedent for what constitutes
traditional military activities in cyberspace."
"In particular, this section (962) would clarify that the Secretary of Defense
has the authority to conduct clandestine cyberspace activities in support of
military operations pursuant to the Authorization for the Use of Military
Force....outside of the United States or to defend against a cyber attack on an
asset of the Department of Defense."
According to the mark up, terrorists "are increasingly using the internet to
exercise command and control," and to spread technical information enabling
attacks on U.S. and coalition forces, often from the relative safety of
"distributed sanctuaries throughout the world. As a result, military activities
may not be confined to a physical battlefield, and the use of military cyber
activities has become a critical part of the effort to protect U.S. and
coalition forces and combat terrorism globally."
The section of the bill expressly "includes the authority to conduct
clandestine military activities in cyberspace in support of military
operations," where Congress has authorized the use of "all necessary and
appropriate force" or to defend against a cyber attack on a DoD asset.
Within the bill, there are more than a dozen items slated for funding labeled
"cyber". The largest amount goes to DISA with $24,085,000 requested and
authorized by the House.
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