International Governance of Non-State Actors In Cyberspace: Is a Single Entity Sufficient for Dispute Resolution

Abstract

Cyberattacks by non-state actors have evolved with the speed of technology, leaving governments largely powerless to address emerging threats, partly due to the lack of legal options to dissuade or deter malicious non-state actors. To adequately address the threat, the international community must form legally binding mechanisms to pursue non-state actors similar to the way the world rethought terrorism after 9/11. This thesis rejects a proposed dispute-mitigation recommendation now under consideration by international negotiatorsthe NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, leveraging the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime as its frameworkand explores an alternative approach for the international governance of the cyber domain, with due mechanisms established to address the ongoing threat of malicious non-state actors. Numerous stakeholders influence cyber strategies in the U.S. and internationally; therefore, a one-system entity is an ineffective regulatory mechanism. Rather, it should be multi-pronged, multilateral, and comprise a unified approach that includes the UN, NATO, INTERPOL, as well as sanctioned unilateral state processes to achieve optimal outcomes. The Paris Climate Agreement should be referenced as a model for success in garnering support for this governance initiative, utilizing the UN to define the space and develop a clear, well-defined framework leveraging the Budapest Convention and the Tallinn Manual 2.0 encapsulated in an amendable treaty.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2020
Accession Number
AD1114529

Entities

People

  • Jaclyn L. Francis

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Cyber

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Congress
  • Cyber Defense Techniques
  • Cyber Warfare
  • Cyberattacks
  • Cybersecurity
  • Cyberspace
  • Cyberspace Operations
  • Intellectual Property
  • International Law
  • International Organizations
  • International Relations
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Irregular Warfare and Special Operations Cyberspace Operations against Adversarial Threats.
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.
  • Strategic Security Studies

Technology Areas

  • Cyber
  • Cyber - Legality in Cyberspace
  • Space