Is Cyber Deterrence Possible?

By Col Timothy M. McKenzie / Published January 02, 2017

Air University Press, Maxwell AFB, AL --

Is Cyber Deterrence Possible?
Col Timothy M. McKenzie, USAF
Deterrence in the cyber domain is drastically different and far more complicated than in the other military domains of air, land, sea, and space. Cyber weapons and offensive cyber techniques are relatively inexpensive and easily obtained or developed. The number of adversary groups capable of attacking US networks is large, and our ability to deter each group will vary based on their motives and levels of risk tolerance. An effective cyber deterrence strategy must be multilayered and use all instruments of US national power. This paper explores the difficulties of deterring unwanted cyber activities, sets some realistic expectations for a deterrence strategy, and offers proposals to help mitigate the problems. [2017 / 33 pages ISBN: 9781585662739 / AU Press Code: CPP-4]

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