Biden says U.S. will respond in kind for SolarWinds hack blamed on Russia Brittany Shepherd
President-elect Joe Biden said Tuesday that his administration will retaliate for a massive cyberattack that targeted U.S. government agencies and is believed to have been carried out by Russian hackers.
“When I learn the extent of the damage and in fact who is formally responsible, they can be assured that we will respond. And probably respond in kind. There’s many options, which I will not discuss now,” Biden said during a press conference with reporters that followed his remarks on the coronavirus pandemic, cybersecurity and the upcoming Christmas holiday.
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“It certainly fits Russia’s long history of reckless disruptive cyber activities, but the Trump administration needs to make an official attribution,” Biden said. “This assault happened on Donald Trump’s watch when he wasn’t watching. It’s still his responsibility as president to defend American interests for the next four weeks.”
Biden would not say whether he considered the breach an act of war when questioned by a reporter, saying that the damage needed to be assessed. Biden said, however, that he saw “no evidence that it is under control,” contradicting Trump’s tweet over the weekend on the matter.
U.S. must respond strongly to massive cyberattack Once again, Trump is ignoring Russia while too many in Congress stay quiet.
By EDITORIAL BOARD, Star Tribune December 21, 2020 5:36pm Text size Copy shortlink:
The scale and scope of the recently revealed computer hack of scores of federal government agencies, U.S. corporations and perhaps other targets appears to be unprecedented.
The U.S. response must be commensurate. First, an intensive investigation must determine how many entities were compromised and how much damage has been done. How did the cyberattack go undetected for nearly nine months? What can be done quickly to staunch the digital bleeding? And how can the U.S. effectively respond without triggering a self-defeating escalation?
Contradicting Trump, US justice chief Barr points finger at Russia in hack inquirer.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from inquirer.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.