News You Really Need To See: “In Cyberwarfare, What Is an ‘Imminent’ Threat?”

“In Cyberwarfare, What Is an ‘Imminent’ Threat?”

The Washington Post, Mar. 11, 2013, p.A2

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/in-cyberwarfare-rules-of-engagement-still-hard-to-define/2013/03/10/0442507c-88da-11e2-9d71-f0feafdd1394_story.html

“President Obama last fall signed a classified directive that requires an ‘imminent’ or ongoing threat of an attack that could result in death or damage to national security before a military cyber-action can be taken to thwart it.  But the definition of ‘imminent’ is, like the definition of an ‘act of war,’ subjective and dependent upon circumstances. … In cyberspace, where attacks can launch in milliseconds, a nation might not have enough time to detect an attack and mount a defense.  In fact, the last clear ‘window of opportunity’ to counter a threat may be hours or days or months before it is launched.”

Quickie analysis:  A good look at how cyberwarfare is challenging the rules of    military engagement.