We’ve had saber rattling, but in the modern era, get ready for cyber rattling.
"We are in a new era of warfare – cyber warfare," Melinda Jackson, a political science professor at San Jose State University, said after President Barack Obama called out Russia in a Friday press conference.
Obama talked about how, in the wake of Russia possibly hacking the Nov. 8 election to the point of disruption, "We can do stuff to you."
But will any of that "stuff" involve Silicon Valley?
Yes, says at least one cyber security expert.
"We have rules of engagement for conventional warfare," said Michael Borohovski of Mountain View-based Tinfoil Security. "We have no rules for cyber warfare."
Borohovski says he sees tech security companies like his becoming busier in the months and years to come, as hacking – even at the highest levels of government – becomes the new normal.
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A former professor of Russian history, David Ransel, said Russia may be trying to get back at the U.S. for meddling in other world affairs. The election became the opportune time to strike.
“It made them feel more vulnerable, so they’re reacting and Putin has been the champion of this reaction of fighting back in whatever way they can,” he said.
However, Ransel hopes Trump can smooth over US-Russia relations moving forward.
"I’m worried about what could evolve here," he admitted. "Russia isn’t the kind of threat it used to be, and it’d probably be better for everyone, if we could get along more with them."
Scott rattles on Twitter: @scottbudman
