Dive Brief:

• James Clapper, director of U.S. National Intelligence, told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday he does not believe the new U.S.-China cyber agreement will slow cyber attacks on U.S. computer networks.

• Clapper said the agreement does not include enough specific penalties for violations to effectively deter attacks.

• Clapper said his approach as U.S. National Intelligence Director will be to "trust but verify."

Dive Insight:

Clapper said last week's cyber agreement is a "good first step" but he doubts its effectiveness in curbing attacks because Chinese cyber espionage aimed at the U.S is so pervasive.

Clapper said cyber threats are increasing in "frequency, scale, sophistication and severity," and the U.S. needs a strong deterrent capability in cyberspace similar to what it uses for nuclear weapons.

Meanwhile, Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work said the Pentagon is currently finalizing a broad cyber warfare policy that would involve a variety of deterrents, including economic sanctions and criminal indictments as well as the potential use of offensive cyber weapons.