Rethinking Sovereignty in the Context of Cyberspace: The Cyber Sovereignty Workshop Series
Abstract
Sovereignty in cyberspace has become a recent topic of concern. From the perspective of some malicious cyber actors, the Westphalian form of sovereignty can be considered completely irrelevant; yet it remains an important concept upon which policy, laws, regulations, conventions and treaties are built, and thus is the basis for the determination of policy and strategy in Western nations especially in regard to U.S. response. Does the concept of sovereignty apply to cyberspace? Is the maintenance of territorial and conceptual boundaries associated with national sovereignty compatible with an interconnected, independent cyberspace? If not, is the default alternative a reinterpretation of the power and authority of nation-states? Must reconstruction or deconstruction of politically sovereign entities occur in order to conform to the inherently free nature of a digital era? Adoption of technological innovation is occurring across the globe with astounding rapidity. Yet consideration of the ramifications of a highly-wired world to traditional jurisdictions and national autonomy has not kept pace. The wide disbursement of web infrastructure, in conjunction with attempts by a variety of aggressors to use the Internet for control and power projection, now challenge traditional ideas of security, stability, and sovereignty.Cyberspace is both essential to the existence of governments and those governed, and dangerous in its relative anonymity and connectivity to virtually all corners of the world. It is a place for economics and civil discourse while simultaneously a battleground for war waged by nation-states, adversarial groups and autonomous actors. In war, not all participants play by the same rules. Regulations developed for reasons of adhering to ethical norms and cultural traditions tend to slow response and, even with the best defense, give attackers who lack similar restrictions the distinct and crucial advantage of time.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1124691
Entities
People
- Cynthia E. Ayers
Organizations
- United States Army War College