June 4, 2009 - In President Obama’s recent announcement to create the position of cybersecurity coordinator to oversee the Pentagon, National Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security, and other agencies that conduct defensive and offensive cyberoperations, he called cyberthreats "one of the most serious economic and national security challenges we face."

The recent infiltration of data networks in the United States have brought to light the important issue of cybersecurity, an area in which a great deal of policy is ill-formed, undeveloped, and highly uncertain. In today’s world, where computer networks control food, water, energy, and modern military equipment, the protection of vulnerable information has become a critical issue.

It’s estimated that computers and networks are probed and attacked millions of times a day by malicious software and third parties. Currently the United States has no structured policy on conducting cyberattacks, and a unified and clear policy is needed to monitor, protect, and defend the sensitive information accessible via cyberspace.

Earlier this year, the National Research Council released Technology, Policy, Law and Ethics Regarding U.S. Acquisition and Use of Cyberattack Capabilities, a report that examined the use of cyberattack as an instrument of U.S. national policy for both defensive and offensive purposes. The report recommends that the U.S. adopt a clear policy developed through open debate within the U.S. government and diplomatic discussion with other nations.

• Homeland Security: National Cybersecurity Division