Measures could be taken to reduce the ability of “foreign actors” to carry out these types of actions in cyberspace, Ron Kline said
The new US administration’s response to cyber-attacks such as the one seen recently will not be limited to sanctions, but will also include measures aimed at reducing the ability of “foreign actors” to carry out these types of actions in cyberspace. Ron Kline, who was appointed by US President-elect Joseph Biden, a Democrat, as White House chief of staff, said this on CBS Television on Sunday.
“There is still a great deal of uncertainty about the purpose of these attacks. Were they espionage-oriented? Were they intended to harm us? <…> I think there are still many unanswered questions about the purpose, nature and extent of these particular attacks. We look forward to learning more about them. I think in terms of the steps the Biden administration will take in response to an attack such as this, <…> these are not just sanctions. It’s also steps <…> that we can take to reduce the ability of foreign actors to repeat this kind of attack or, worse, engage in even more dangerous attacks,” Kline said.
Reuters reported on Sunday, citing sources, that advisers to US President-elect Joseph Biden are discussing the possibility of imposing sanctions against Russia as well as damaging Russian computer systems in connection with a cyber attack on US government agencies, which Washington attributes to Moscow. The agency states that these discussions by Biden’s aides are still “theoretical”. The Democrat’s entourage will specify a plan of action after his inauguration on 20 January 2021 when they “will assess all US capabilities”. Biden’s aides will also review U.S. intelligence regarding what happened before making any decisions, the source said.