Instructions

Complete the following:

A recent cyber-attack occurred where a botnet-type attack targeted a major US defense firm. No physical damage occurred to the firm's network, but significant technological secrets about a new surveillance and targeting system from the firm, Defense Applications International (DAI), may have been compromised. Incidental, but nonetheless because of the attack, the virus also infected a software program that DAI was testing at an electrical plant in Ohio. The plant was shut down for 12 hours while repairs were made. The NSA believes it has credible evidence that the attack had a direct connection to the elite cyber unit Department 2112, of the country of Redistan, an adversary of the United States, although the attack itself appears to include private citizens of Redistan. The attack, however, was routed through several third countries including Bluelandia, an ally of the United States. 

You are a cyber desk officer working for the National Security Council. The Deputy National Security Advisor has asked you to write a memorandum addressing key issues of cyber policy. In the memorandum, you must address the following issues: 

1) Based on the facts we know, should the attack be considered a crime, espionage or act of war? What should the US response be? How can the US best defend itself from future attacks such as the one that just occurred?

2) Should the United States assign US Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) with the responsibility of protecting certain private companies, and, if so, what should the general standard be for determining what companies the government should be responsible for defending?

3) Should the United States lead the effort at an international cyber agreement? Why or why not? What challenges would the President face in trying to get an agreement? Are there any alternatives?

4) Are there any substantive changes that should be made to the current US cyber policy?

Note: In creating your memorandum, you may allocate the content according to the importance of the issue. For example, you can allocate several pages to one issue if you believe it deserves more attention than the others do; however, ensure that each question specified by the Deputy National Security Advisor is addressed. This may be challenging, but if you have read and understood the course material, it will be a straightforward assignment. 

Technical Requirements

• Your paper must be a minimum of 10-12 pages (the Title and Reference pages do not count towards the minimum limit).
• Scholarly and credible references should be used. A minimum of 6-8 scholarly sources are required for this assignment.
• Type in Times New Roman, 12 point and double space.
• Students will follow the current Turabian Style as the sole citation and reference style used in written work submitted as part of coursework. 
• Points will be deducted for the use of Wikipedia or encyclopedic-type sources. It is highly advised to utilize books, peer-reviewed journals, articles, archived documents, etc.
• All submissions will be graded using the assignment rubric.