“In the past, the United States has been very cagey about its ability to conduct offensive actions in cyberspace. Over the last few years though, U.S. officials and former officials have gradually started to open up a little bit and discuss how the United States is able to mount cyber attacks on other countries. The new document goes much further in specifically acknowledging that the United States is capable of attacking other countries’ information systems, and willing to do so under some circumstances. It says that there ‘may be times when the President or the Secretary of Defense may determine that it would be appropriate for the U.S. military to conduct cyber operations to disrupt an adversary’s military related networks or infrastructure so that the U.S. military can protect U.S. interests in an area of operations.’”
Source: What’s new in the U.S. cyber strategy – The Washington Post