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US, Russia Clash Over Cyber-Security

Countries dueling plans could prompt new arms race

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 27, 2009 4:34 PM CDT

(Newser) – The cold war may be going digital, the New York Times reports, as the US and Russia clash over how to combat attacks in cyberspace. Washington has dismissed Moscow’s call for an international treaty, preferring to promote cross-border cooperation in hunting down hackers. “We really believe it’s defense, defense, defense,” said US official. But Russia worries more about military attacks over the Internet.

For Washington, a treaty smacks of censorship—which totalitarian regimes could wield against its citizens, US officials say. It may also be too hard to link hackers to governments that hire them. Russia and the US have disagreed about cyber–law enforcement for more than 10 years, and will likely discuss it again next week when President Obama visits Russia.

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin looks on during a meeting in Moscow on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009. (AP Photo/RIA-Novosti, Alexei Nikolsky, Pool)

The US and Russia are locked in a fundamental dispute over how to counter the growing threat of cyberwar attacks. (Shutter Stock)

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Whether the American or Russian approach prevails, arms control experts said, major governments are reaching a point of no return in heading off a cyberwar arms race.
- John Markoff and Andrew E. Kramer,
the New York Times

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US, Russia Clash Over Cyber-Security