Pentagon Ponders Cyberspace Offensives

US military commanders, hoping to add a page to their offensive capabilities, are pushing for the development of strategies that will allow them to assault and control an enemy’s cyberspace, the Los Angeles Times reports. An aggressive cyber-campaign could allow the Pentagon to disrupt a foe’s command-and-control center, utilities and even its computerized weapons.

The Pentagon has previously concentrated on building a strong defensive, rather than offensive, online capability. But recent electronic attacks that coincided with, and facilitated, Russia’s offensive in Georgia changed many minds. "Cyber is going to be a very important part of our war-fighting tactics, techniques and procedures," said Michael W. Wynne, a former Air Force secretary. (More cyberspace stories.)