Cyber Attacks as an International Issue... What's Your Opinion?

I'm not sure that I understand the pros and cons of either approach. It might also be interesting to try to understand the motivations of each party.

If I am correct in summarization, the treaty approach is much more formal and structured. There are presumably requirements spelled out within the structure of the treaty. Those requirements on all parties to the treaty require each signatory to either do or refrain from doing certain things.

The other approach is a lot looser. Nothing spelled out. Merely a handshake method of working with one another. Guidelines are only that; guidelines. Unlike the treaty which requires specific actions.

Using a treaty structure, there will be negotiations that may or may not produce acrimony and misunderstanding. Are there problems inherent using the treaty structure to accomplish the goals? What about a loose structure such as is being championed by the U.S.? The problems are different but probably no less significant.

On the one hand, a formal treaty can have problems hidden in the 'small print.' On the other, with no structure to equally guide all the participants, each party could meander around in their own time and way and either accomplish nothing, or just take care of problems which affect them directly.

Although I'm not crazy about it, without further information, it seems to me that a formal structure - especially with Russia and China - could go a long way to bringing everyone together to sing from the same page of the hymnal at the same time.

Or not...

(Sag: you sure dug up a doozy this time!!).

I do believe that an agreement is necessary as the world of cyber space is to wide open for misinterpretation and abuse. It should not be left to solely the military o 'police agencies to determine the rules of the game. It is my opinion that human rights organizations and internet providers need to be considered in the equation as well as consulted as the the dangers and benefits of an open networking world.

As for where internet attacks occuring occuring withing the US. Well we have several years of monotoring of the Space by US Government under unauthorized authority and how much of that has affected activists who are truely trying to keep a open democratic society and a society that is not run strictly for the profit of a few Corporate mogles.

A treaty would be fairly toothless, and if too specific could hinder LE's ability to zag when the hackers zig.

Personally I would go with every country having a Cyber Investigation Agency that cooperates internationally with other country's BUT has no arrest powers.

They would gather evidence and turn it of to regular law enforcement.

This goes back and forth, it's not like China or Russia are the only ones who are doing it. I am sure the US does the same or even worse. We have satellite around the world. An international treaty is pointless.. Superpowers can do whatever they want.. meh...

There needs to be a line in the sand.

We need to give China a certain amount of time to stop hacking our government sites, then, if it continues, fine them a billion dollars a day, and DEDUCT IT FROM OUR DEBT TO THEM!

This sounds like the Cold War is about to reemerge.

They are a little late to catch up...this thing has been on for quite some time

Shhh, your not supposed to know about that.