The Spectrum of Cyber Conflict from Hacking to Information Warfare: What is Law Enforcement's Role?

Publisher Marketing: Our reliance on computers and information-based technologies within DoD has greatly increased our potential for vulnerability if our information systems are attacked. DoD systems now receive numerous intrusion attempts daily and this trend appears to be increasing. It is paramount that DoD develops appropriate defensive courses of action to systematically and appropriately counter the threat of future cyber attacks. The main problem is distinguishing the type of intrusion or attack and developing the mechanisms to appropriately respond whether that is a law enforcement action or military action. This paper will attempt to develop a spectrum of cyber-conflict from hacking to information warfare which will address how to discern who the adversary is, his goals and how best to counter him. It will seek to answer the question of how we can differentiate between a juvenile hacker who is only interested in simple exploration, to a terrorist intent on seriously damaging information for political gain or from the first indications of all out information warfare. This spectrum of conflict will consist of various forms of cyber-attack such as exploration and hacking to terrorism, espionage, and information warfare. The important issue in countering any form of cyber attack is to quickly discern the type of attack and adversary and respond appropriately. Currently, tracking down computer intrusions is a law enforcement function. The collection of information/evidence after the fact to trace the attacks back to the origin requires a robust and competent law enforcement community. The traditional warfighting military is prohibited from executing this mission domestically. If, the US is a law enforcement theatre, now domestic law enforcement has a critical role in national security and national defense.