Standardizing States' Response to Cyberattacks: The United Nations' Opportunity to Normalize Behavior
Abstract
The nature and risks of cyberspace create effects that influence a state's national security and interests. These effects, individual non-state actors directly engaging states, a lower threshold for offensively responding to cyberattacks, and the pace of cyberspace's modernization, deepen tension between states and increase the likelihood of state-initiated armed conflict in response to cyberattacks. Additionally, it is important that states appreciate the efficacy of internationally agreed-upon behavioral standards in cyberspace and how they improve global stability and increase security. To alleviate the possibility of a state responding disproportionately to a cyberattack from an actor in cyberspace, states must implement international standards of behavior that provide a baseline for responses to cyberattacks that are acceptable to the international community. It is possible for a multilateral, global alliance to successfully develop and implement these behavioral norms. Further, the United Nations is the preferred venue to develop and approve a set of internationally agreed-upon standards.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 24, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1137012
Entities
People
- Kyle A. Benwitz
Organizations
- School of Advanced Military Studies