Promote a legal framework that induces private parties to protect their own systems to the optimal extent. Provide a neutral clearinghouse that encourages private parties to collaborate on sharing their experiences and countermeasures on a confidential basis. By and large, such measures are progressing. Unfortunately, U.S. government restrictions, extant and threatened, on hard encryption have inhibited one of the better tools for protecting systems and also have reduced the credibility of government actions in the information warfare area. International Activities Extending most of these government actions overseas suggests an opening agenda for guiding international activities against information warfare.
Law enforcement is a big area.
The harmonization of national laws against computer attack, multinational cooperation in tracing attacks across national lines, international treaties on extradition of attackers, and a readiness to impose sanctions on those who protect attackers can all aid global information security. A readiness to share information on research and development, on attack indications and warnings, as well as attack incidents and responses can also improve the efficacy of each nation's protective measures. However these areas are often the province of intelligence agencies, not historically noted for transparency in such matters. Information warfare is among them. The potential for major mischief does exist, particularly if undertaken in a systematic way by a well-financed adversary.