A Study Of The United States’ Security Strategy In Cyberspace

Cyberspace security has become the focus of American strategic concerns in recent years. It is also an important influential factor in future evolution of world order. The concept of cyberspace was invented 30 years ago. Cyber security can be considered from the perspective of both traditional security and non-traditional security. Cyber security strategy is different from cyberspace strategy. The former emphasizes the distribution of resources by a country in protection of its cyber security, or the defense of national security using cyber weapons. The latter is the strategic thinking about whether to achieve dominant role in cyberspace or seek balance. America’s national interest in cyberspace is to maintain its superior role among states and to prevent attack against its critical infrastructure from challengers and adversaries. Some of the strategic goals of the United States are conservative and aims at defense of its national assets, while others are open and aims at shaping a favorable international security environment.The cyber security strategy of the United States was developed as the result of the discussion about cyber warfare, antiterrorist efforts, as well as various cyber security events. The George W. Bush Administration’s cyber security strategy was part of its overall antiterrorist national security strategy. Both information freedom and privacy of U.S. citizens were violated in the name of national security. The Barack H. Obama Administration developed the diplomatic tool of internet freedom, and established cyber command. Yet President Obama’s push for cyber security legislation was hampered by the congress dominated by the Republican Party and received cold response from the private sector associated with critical infrastructure.America’s cyber security strategic means include deterrence, a theory developed during the Cold War era, cyber warfare, and the anti-terrorist approach of preemptive war. Globally, American efforts have also been put into strengthening cooperation with its allies in cyber security and promoting the enforcement of international law. The domestic means of America’s cyberspace security strategy is to strength the cooperation between the government and private sector.As the securitization agent, the American government coined phrases such as the "Cyber Pearl Harbor" and "Digital 9/11" and charged the Chinese government for being behind hackings of American corporations’websites. Through these rhetoric discourses, normal political rules and structure such as legislation became marginal; more military budget is devoted to the building of a cyber army; information freedom and the privacy of citizens remain the price to pay for a more secured national security environment. The securitization altered the relationship between the government and the public, the most pertinent audience being information experts and those who work in the private sector. The primary global influence of America’s cyber security strategy is the trend that other countries initiate their own cyber security strategies and the counteraction of Russia and China. As a result, cyber security has become a routine issue on the foreign policy agenda. The domestic consequence of America’s security strategy in cyberspace during George W. Bush Administration is the competition between national security and individual freedom. The competition between America’s long-term national interests and partisan interests became prominent during Barack H. Obama Administration.