In considering offensive capabilities, General Kehler noted that “I think we are looking at what an offensive component would be: What does that look like? What kind of options would we want to be able to offer? I think that we have always said that there needs to be an offense and defense mix.” The detailed doctrine and specific rules of engagement that exist for military operations on land, at sea, in the air, and in outerspace do not yet exist for cyberspace. General Kehler believes that "without question, there needs to be a full conversation about doctrine and there needs to be a full conversation about rules of engagement. There needs to be a full conversation about legal applications.”
Finally, General Kehler noted how concepts like "active defenses", where a threat is identified and neutralized before causing damage, might not translate to cyberspace. “Is active defense really offensive in cyberspace?” General Kehler asked. “I would argue that it really is not. It does not have to be, for sure. But those are the issues that we are trying to work our way through.”
The source article can be found here.
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