In a threat aimed squarely at China and Russia, the Trump administration said it will counterattack all cyber attacks launched by these two strategic adversaries against the United States federal government, the military, and U.S. companies.
National Security Adviser John Bolton, a right-wing conservative and a profound critic of China and Russia, yesterday warned U.S. foes the U.S. is prepared to respond offensively and will retaliate against any cyber attack directed against the United States.
Bolton revealed that president Donald Trump issued a classified executive order last year repudiating the Obama administration's more measured offensive cyber operations strategy. He said Trump's executive order makes it easier for U.S. agencies involved in cyber warfare - especially United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) -- to take offensive action in response to cyber attacks.
The executive order also slashes red tape and procedural restrictions that restrict immediate U.S. cyber retaliation.
Located at Fort Meade, Maryland, USCYBERCOM is the 10th Unified Combatant Command of the United States Armed Forces. USCYBERCOM defends the United States and its interests by directing, synchronizing and coordinating cyberspace planning and operations.
USCYBERCOM unifies the direction of U.S. cyberspace operations; strengthens cyberspace capabilities, of the Department of Defense (DoD) and integrates DoD's cyber expertise.
Bolton believes the capability to retaliate immediately is critical, "because I think that if our adversaries can take steps against us in cyberspace and feel no consequences, feel no pain, bear no costs, they have no incentive to stop attacking us in cyberspace."
He said Trump's objective is not to have unrestricted cyber warfare. Rather, the objective is to create structures of deterrence by making our adversaries (Russia, China, and Iran) understand that when they engage in offensive cyber activities themselves, they will bear a disproportionate cost.
He argues the certainty of U.S. retaliation will make these adversary nations think about launching cyber attacks against the U.S. a lot harder before they launch a cyber operation, to begin with.
USCYBERCOM was elevated to a full and independent Unified Combatant Command on May 4, 2018. The promotion of USCYBERCOM was an important milestone because it signals the U.S. is taking all facets of cyberspace operations seriously.
Established in 2009, USCYBERCOM provides effective command and control of U.S. military forces in peace and war, regardless of branch of service. It was first based at the National Security Agency (NSA) headquarters at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.
USCYBERCOM is the latest evolution in a series of organizational designs to enable DoD Information Networks and to optimize U.S. military capabilities in cyberspace.
