U.S. response to bank cyberattacks reflects diplomatic caution, vexes bank industry

[InfoSec News <alerts () infosecnews org>]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-response-to-bank-cyberattacks-reflects-diplomatic-caution-vexes-bank-industry/2013/04/27/4a71efe2-aea2-11e2-98ef-d1072ed3cc27_story.html

By Ellen Nakashima
Washington Post
April 27, 2013

The United States, concerned that Iran is behind a string of cyberattacks 
against U.S. banking sites, has considered delivering a formal warning through 
diplomatic channels but has not pursued the idea out of fears that doing so 
could escalate hostilities, according to American officials.

At the same time, the officials said, the disruptive activity against the Web 
sites has not yet reached a level of harm that would justify a retaliatory 
strike.

The internal discussion reflects the complex nature of deciding when and how 
the United States should respond to hostile cyber-actions from other countries. 
It also reflects the pressure the administration is under from banking industry 
officials, who want to know what amount of pain or damage will justify a 
government response.

“We don’t have a clear view of what are the triggers — and we’ve asked,” said 
one industry official who has been involved in discussions with the 
administration and who spoke on the condition of anonymity. “They’ve just been 
very coy about it.”

[...]

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