Pentagon steps up cyberwar research

last updated 8 January 2015

The Pentagon will spend $3.4 billion this year to develop a new generation of cyberweapons capable of disrupting enemy networks even when they’re offline, The Washington Post reported this week. These new offensive weapons will target closed systems like those for air defense, using radio signals to insert computer code into enemy networks. The Pentagon said that the new cybertechnology spending will be both offensive and defensive—but some experts are calling for increased focus on digital attack weapons. “You’ve got to start moving investment to the offensive side,” said Marine Corps Gen. James Cartwright, ex-vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.