The United States needs to formally investigate using proof-of-work networks such as Bitcoin (BTC) to protect the country from cyber-inflicted warfare, according to Jason Lowery, a member of the United States Space Force.
In a four-page letter to the U.S. Defense Innovation Board on Dec. 2, Lowery explained that while Bitcoin is mostly seen as a “monetary system” to secure funds, few know that Bitcoin can be used to secure “all forms of data, messages or command signals.”
“As a result, this misconception underplays the technology’s broad strategic significance for cybersecurity, and consequently, national security.”
The Defense Innovation Board is an independent advisory board set up to bring the technological innovation and best practices of Silicon Valley to the U.S. Military. Lowery used the letter to urge the board to advise the Secretary of Defense to investigate the “national strategic importance” of PoW systems like Bitcoin.
Lowery used the letter to urge the board to advise the Secretary of Defense to investigate the “national strategic importance” of PoW systems like Bitcoin.
In his letter, Lowery explained that a proof-of-work system like Bitcoin could work to deter adversaries from cyberattacks due to the “steep costs” of a physically resource-intensive computer in the same way military assets help to deter military attacks against the country.
“Proof-of-work mirrors the physical security and deterrence strategies utilized in other domains like land, sea, air, and space,” but instead, it does it in the digital domain, Lowery explained.
BREAKING: US Space Force Major, Jason Lowery sends open letter about #Bitcoin to DOD’s Defense Innovation Board.
“I contend that reusable proof-of-work networks like #Bitcoin represent an offset strategy for the 21st century.” pic.twitter.com/qiLZ71S5MN
— Dennis Porter (@Dennis_Porter_) December 3, 2023
Bitcoin’s potential cybersecurity applications are huge, according to Lowery, and could play an important role in the U.S. maintaining its position as the world leader.
“Addressing this could be vital for the US to maintain its positions as a global superpower and leader among nations, especially in an increasingly digital and interconnected world plagued by security vulnerabilities.”
Lowery says it has the potential to kickstart the “cybersecurity revolution” too.
“[It is] the beginning of a cybersecurity revolution. It converts the global electric power grid into a large,…
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