More of this Feature • Cyber Warfare Directive

Related Resources • Poll: Should U.S. use Cyber Warfare? • What Is A Firewall? • In-Depth Security

From Other Guides • Cyber-Terrorism: Propaganda or Probability? • Cyber Terrorism: Are You Prepared?

Elsewhere on the Web • Why The Dogs of Cyberwar Stay Leashed • Bush Orders Guidelines for Cyber Warfare • Cyber Terrorism

Being the country that created the rules of engagement, and possibly the country to first use Cyber Warfare as an official military tool would mark us as a target much the same way being the fastest gun did in the Old West. Hackers around the world will consider it an extraordinary triumph to be the ones to use this weapon against the United States.

Another issue with unleashing worms and viruses intent on destroying the enemy is that the possibility exists that with a few incorrect lines of programming code the attack could spread world-wide instead of being contained to its intended target.

A biological virus can mutate over time to be resistant to the antibodies created to destroy it. It can get stronger and constantly find new ways to exploit flaws in the human immune system.

Similarly, enemy nations and hackers around the world could intercept the code from our cyber-attack once unleashed. They can analyze it, examine it, learn from it and then rebuild it different, better and stronger than before and send it back out. This happens already with everyday computer viruses.

While the ability to disable a nation’s infrastructure and cripple its military defenses without firing a shot or launching a single cruise missile sounds appealing, condoning and launching Cyber Warfare is a slippery slope we may not want to start down. The United States should think very carefully about the precedent they set and the repercussions of their actions before choosing to unleash this new weapon.

To express your opinion on whether the U.S. should condone or use Cyber Warfare as a military weapon, click here to vote in the poll: Cyber Warfare Poll


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