Beyond the Rift in Cyber Strategy; Strategic Insights; Spring 2011

Abstract

[T]his article argues that there remains a lack of consensus in Washington, particularly within the Department of Defense, on threat assessment in cyberspace and its military implications. A stark intellectual rift between “alarmists” and “skeptics” still prevails. As a result, this elementary battle has led todysfunction in the institutional response to cyber-threats and jeopardizes the implementation of aneffective military posture in cyberspace. Consequently, we need to reassess the relevance of cyberspace as a distinct military domain. To that end, this article aims for a middle ground between these opposing views, supporting the idea that cyberattacks are more than just a technical nuisance, but less than an existential threat to USnational security.