President Biden today signaled that he’s ready to strike back if Russia uses cyberattacks to hit the US amid its invasion of Ukraine.
“If Russia pursues cyberattacks against our companies, our critical infrastructure, we are prepared to respond,” Biden said in a Thursday address to the US public.
Biden made the statement as he announced new sanctions to punish the Russian government for invading Ukraine. The sanctions are designed to cripple Russia’s economy and block technology exports to the country.
“We estimate they'll cut off half of Russia’s high-tech imports,” Biden said of the sanctions. “It’ll strike a blow to their ability to continue to modernize their military. It’ll degrade their aerospace industry, including their space program."
However, the same sanctions could trigger the Kremlin to retaliate with cyberattacks. Ukraine itself has already faced a barrage of DDoS and Windows-wiping malware attacks that many suspect came from the Russian government in the lead-up to the invasion.
How the US would strike back at a Russian cyberattack was left unsaid. But NBC News reports that Biden has been presented with a number of options “to carry out massive cyberattacks” designed to hinder Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine.
The options include disrupting internet access across Russia, shutting down electric power, and even tampering with railroad switches to divert trains from resupplying Russian forces. However, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki called the NBC News report “off base,” claiming it didn’t reflect what was actually discussed with Biden.
In his Thursday address, Biden added: “For months, we have been working closely with the private sector to harden our cyber defenses, sharpen our ability to respond to cyberattacks as well.” In addition, the US government launched a “shields up” program, which includes tips for how domestic companies and organizations can bolster their IT defenses against hacking.
Biden also said the US is sending more troops to Europe, but only to protect NATO allies, not to engage in combat in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin is warning other countries not to interfere with the invasion, vowing he’ll retaliate with “consequences you have never seen,” according to the Associated Press.