Pentagon declares cyberwarfare 'an option' in conflicts for the first time
Document for first time includes US fears about Chinese cyberespionage
A new Pentagon cybersecurity strategy lays out for the first time publicly that the US military plans to use cyberwarfare as an option in conflicts with enemies.
According to details in the 33-page document, the Defence Department "should be able to use cyber operations to disrupt an adversary's command and control networks, military- related critical infrastructure and weapons capabilities".
The cybersecurity strategy is the second done by the Pentagon and was slated for release yesterday, but it was obtained early by reporters.
The previous strategy, which was publicly released in 2011, made little reference to the Pentagon's offensive cyber capabilities, although US officials had spoken quietly about the issue.
The new document takes a more open approach in part because officials said the Pentagon wanted more transparency in its cyber mission - and because it could provide some deterrence to adversaries.
"I think it will be useful to us for the world to know that, first of all, we're going to protect ourselves, we're going to defend ourselves," Defence Secretary Ash Carter told journalists on the way to California. He added that the new strategy was "more clear and more specific about everything, including [US] offence".