After the Iraq WMD fiasco, I no longer have confidence in the ability of the US Intelligence services and military to accurately assess a threat and respond appropriately. The lesson from Iraq is that any counter strike would probably be unnecessary, or would hit the wrong target.

China is a very computer smart and disciplined country. If we start a cyber war there it could go on for decades and probably ruin us more than them.

By adopting a defensive posture and countering the attacks as they come, we keep learning and getting stronger. If we ever have to attack in a time of war then we will be better able to do it as a result of this experience. We should not give them this defensive experience through low level attacks now.

The onus is on government and industry to keep their systems immune. Part of that could well mean not purchasing any IT products made in, or for, China.

A cyber attack that damages or destroys a countries infrastructure should be perceived as an act of war. If we do it offensively then it needs to be authorized by Congress. If it is conducted against us then you need conclusive proof that it was state conducted or state sponsored in which case all military options should be on the table. If it was caused by an individual/s then normal criminal law procedures should be effected. If the country in which the individual/s resides doesn’t have any laws against cyber crime (and there are many) then a defensive posture is the only option. We should certainly use diplomatic pressure to bring the perps to justice. The other option would be to send Seal Team 6 and tell the other country if they can’t clean their own house then we’ll do it for them.