STRATCOM wants to take cyberwar to enemy

WASHINGTON, March 21 (UPI) -- The head of U.S. Strategic Command said Wednesday the United States is under daily attack in cyberspace and he wants to take a more offensive stance.

"Our freedom to use cyberspace is threatened by the actions of criminals, terrorists, and nations alike," said Marine Gen. "Hoss" Cartwright in written testimony to the House armed Services Committee. "The magnitude of cost in terms of real dollars dedicated to defensive measures, lost intellectual capital and fraud cannot be overestimated, making these attacks a matter of great national interest. Unlike the air, land and sea domains, we lack dominance in cyberspace and could grow increasingly vulnerable if we do not fundamentally change how we view this battlespace."

Cartwright said U.S. Strategic Command, which takes the military lead in cyberspace, has focused mostly on networked defense -- firewalls, anti-virus protections, and vulnerability scanning.

"These measures are marginally effective against sophisticated adversaries. History teaches us that a purely defensive posture poses significant risks," Cartwright said. "If we apply the principle of warfare to the cybe domain ... we realize the defense of the nation is better served by capabilities enabling us to take the fight to our adversaries when necessary to deter actions detrimental to our interests."

He said STRATCOM will seek Congress' help in "penetrating" the adversary's "technical, legal and international screens" and taking an offensive rather than a purely defensive tack against cyber-enemies.