U.S. cyber strategy of persistent engagement & defend forward: implications for the alliance and intelligence collection

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis article evaluates the implications of U.S. cyber strategy of persistent engagement for the alliance and intelligence collection. Whilst the strategy may have benefits for certain alliance relationships, I identify four potential negative consequences; loss of allied trust, disruption allied intelligence operations and capabilities, exploitability of the strategy by adversaries, and the implementation (and justification) of persistent engagement by other countries. This paper concludes suggesting several ways forward, including the creation of a new NATO-memorandum of understanding on cyber operations.