Posted on Mar 2, 2016
Should the cyber defense of critical infrastructure be exempted from the posse comitatus act?
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Examples would be electrical grid, water systems, Nuclear power plant, Court systems, Policing systems, medical, banking, media infrastructure, banking systems, state/local government, port security, Telecoms, mass transit, gas/fuel pipeline systems, pharmaceutical systems, traffic management systems, etc
Like to know your thoughts....
Like to know your thoughts....
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 5
If you carve out exemptions in the Posse Comitatus (and parallel regulations in other services) to use the Military (et al) on US Soil, it defeats the purpose of the PSA. It's putting the proverbial "Camel's nose in the tent."
We have a latticework of electrical & water systems. Knock over a fire-hydrant and the Army is after you instead of the local cops. Police & Courts. They are already LEOs... why would they need additional help from the military "above and beyond" the NG (which is already exempt from the PSA)?
See how quickly we can get into this rabbit-hole? Many things are already considered "Federal" crimes. Being able to use Military as Police on the Citizenry is just a bad deal.
We have a latticework of electrical & water systems. Knock over a fire-hydrant and the Army is after you instead of the local cops. Police & Courts. They are already LEOs... why would they need additional help from the military "above and beyond" the NG (which is already exempt from the PSA)?
See how quickly we can get into this rabbit-hole? Many things are already considered "Federal" crimes. Being able to use Military as Police on the Citizenry is just a bad deal.
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
Lt Col (Join to see) - No deviation from current from current military posture.
That is not to say "do nothing" but operate as we have been. We work to defend against cyber attacks, while the FBI is our reactive force. Each agency & department has a specific charter for a reason. We put limits on those agencies' power for a reason.
But in this line of thought, I'd suggest the following book:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/055341996X?keywords=lights%20out%20koppel&qid= [login to see] &ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
That is not to say "do nothing" but operate as we have been. We work to defend against cyber attacks, while the FBI is our reactive force. Each agency & department has a specific charter for a reason. We put limits on those agencies' power for a reason.
But in this line of thought, I'd suggest the following book:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/055341996X?keywords=lights%20out%20koppel&qid= [login to see] &ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
Amazon.com: Lights Out: A Cyberattack, A Nation Unprepared, Surviving the Aftermath...
Amazon.com: Lights Out: A Cyberattack, A Nation Unprepared, Surviving the Aftermath (9780553419962): Ted Koppel: Books
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Lt Col (Join to see)
Just to piggyback on my last response. The book is great. As a companion book, I recommend Cyberwar by Richard Clarke.
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This is an interesting question. It would be fair to view the cybersphere similar to the atmosphere. It can't be divided into neat parcels like the geosphere (national boundaries) or cordoned off like the hydosphere (three mile limits, etc) It transcends such limiting concepts. Tasking separate agencies to defend each section would be impossible because it simply can't be "sectioned". And, even if you could, threats could traverse sections multiple times at lightning speeds thus confounding attempts to coordinate defenses. Of course, the question could be sidestepped by simply assigning defense of America's vital interests in the cybersphere to a "civilian" agency.
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We need new Joint doctrine, technology, or TTPs or we will end up like France, which was unprepared for mobile warfare. It makes no sense exposing Americans' innocence to terrorist plots that we can flush out. How many must die before we realize that a defensive posture is not good enough?
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Lt Col (Join to see)
I think to make thinks simple a state NG/ANG unit should take the lead...to keep things clean, I would take NSA out of the loop for actual defense but use them as Intel support....for nation state attacks
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MAJ Ken Landgren
I believe NSA is the one belly button which will have Command and Control of Intelligence and Information Assurance for the nation.
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Lt Col (Join to see)
NTOC and IAD is suppose to protect the federal systems...not sure how that works with critical infrastructure that is suppose to be DHS' lane
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