Cyberwar Has Gone Public, and That's Dangerous

Compared with the alleged Russian hacks of the Democratic National Committee and other U.S. targets, another important cybertheft that has also been tentatively attributed to Russia is getting far less attention. The revelations are much less titillating than those that have made headlines recently -- they aren't even understandable to most people -- but they may be part of the same cyberwar, one whose rules seem to be changing.

By now, we assume that everyone hacks everyone and that security is essential for any organization in possession of confidential information. But lately, the war hasn't been just about spying. Bragging rights and publicity have become important too. A hacker group (often assumed to be a proxy for the Russian state these days) acts like a bunch of swaggering kids. The U.S. responds with threats and denunciation. It may seem heady material for a second-rate spy novel, but the more public cyberwar is also deadly serious.