A Chinese Perspective on the Pentagon’s Cyber Strategy: From ‘Active Cyber Defense’ to ‘Defending Forward'

In this article Chinese cybersecurity analyst Lyu Jinghua analyzes the evolution of the US’ strategic approach to cybersecurity and its implications for international cyber stability. Lyu traces US cyber strategy from “active defense” in 2011 to “defending forward” in 2018, noting a shift from using limited offensive counterattacks for defensive purposes to disrupting malicious activity at its source. This represents an expansion in scope, geography, timing, and targeting of US cyber operations. An increased focus on preemption and offensive posture expands insecurity between competing states and result in the disruption of strategic stability.