U.S Defense Chief Calls Cyberspace Battlefront Of The Future

October 20, 2012

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says cyberspace is the battlefield of the future.

Panetta's remarks came a week after he delivered a major policy speech on cyber security, saying the U.S. military could act preemptively if it detects an imminent threat of a cyber attack.

U.S. banks and financial institutions have been under sustained attack in recent weeks by suspected Iranian hackers.

A group calling itself the Cyber Fighters of Izz ad-din Al Qassam has claimed credit for the disruptions, calling them a protest against an anti-Islam video, "Innocence of Muslims," which was posted on YouTube and has provoked violent protests across the Muslim world.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/us-defense-chief-calls-cyberspace-battlefront-of-the-future/24745539.html

Copyright (c) 2012. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.