Intention of Cyber-Actors

The intention of actors or perpetrators of cyber attack within the spectrum of cyber conflict can be broken down into two broad categories as relates to national security. These categories are outlined by Lionel D. Alford, Jr., in Appendix A of this paper and are defined as intentional cyber actors (I-actors) and unintentional cyber actors (Uactors).
Intentional actors are individuals intentionally prosecuting attack through cyber-means to affect national security. U-actors are individuals who unintentionally attack but affect national security and are largely unaware of the international ramifications of their actions.

Intention of perpetrators of a cyber attack is important as relates to the type of response by the US. Regardless of severe damage, if the perpetrator against a DOD system is determined to be a juvenile hacker from Great Britain who had no intention of causing damage to US national security, the US would not respond in-kind with a cyberattack against the British Defense Establishment. However, if the Iraqi Intelligence Service in a cyber-warfare attack caused the same damage, the US may very likely consider an in-kind cyber attack or possibly a military retaliatory strike against Iraq. Obviously, it may be difficult to fully identity a perpetrator, especially if they are operating under the auspices of a foreign intelligence service, but if an attack could be
traced back to a country such as Iraq, the US government could use this information for diplomatic, economic or military action. In most cases, an attack from an I-actor will be perpetrated through US computer systems and it will be paramount that US law enforcement agencies be involved in obtaining required court orders to trace back and establish the location and identity of the cyber attacker.