Cyberterrorism Versus Cyberwar: at What Point Does Department of Justice Turn Over Cyber Incidents to the Department of Defense?
Abstract
The United States is increasingly dependent upon technology to the extent that every facet of the Nation's critical infrastructure (CI) depends on computer technology at some level. The conduct of future warfare, both offensively and defensively, is also increasingly technological. The realization that the U.S. is extremely vulnerable to asymmetric warfare via the Internet and to acts of terrorism was part of the driving force behind the development of PDD 63. Because of the widespread dependence on the CI, consideration is being given to assigning ultimate responsibility over these interconnected systems to a single agency. Currently the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has cognizance over items relating to terrorism. The Department of Defense has responsibility when it comes to acts of war. The line between terrorism and warfare over the Internet is ambiguous, as are the lines of authority. This paper will examine the definitions of terrorism and warfare where the Global Information Infrastructure and other components of our nation's CI are concerned. At what point, and by what mechanism should responsibility and authority be transferred from the FBI to the DoD? Should a different, perhaps even a new, agency be given ultimate response responsibility for attacks on the CI?
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 10, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA390624
Entities
People
- Deborah P. Glass
Organizations
- United States Army War College