Cyberspace: A Lawless World
Abstract
Cyberattacks in the last decade have severely crippled businesses and compromised individual and national security. Any organization with a stake in cyberspace is vulnerable to attack, espionage, or criminal activity. Despite a reported 782 increase in cyber incidents over a six year period, many cyber attackers and cyber criminals do not face any repercussions for their actions. This research paper addresses the lack of accountability in cyberspace by examining three potential frameworks that can provide operational direction for an approach to accountability that expands on the strategies outlined in the 2015 National Security Strategy and the 2011 International Strategy for Cyberspace. The alternatives were analyzed against a specific set of criteria - whether they resolve the major barriers to regulation that have persisted thus far, whether they are practical, whether they provide for a consistent approach to accountability, and whether they will serve as a significant deterrent to potential cyber attackers and cyber criminals. The results of this research found that the creation of an international body for cyberspace governance would best resolve some of the major barriers to regulation and serve to aid in the establishment of a system of accountability. The advantage of this collaborative forum is that it has the ability to expedite the standardization of laws and language throughout the international community, and ultimately aid in the creation of one strategic agenda for the development of shared norms for conduct in the virtual world.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1041050
Entities
People
- Pauline N. Harke
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College