Election Security Development in International Law
Abstract
The United States must prioritize the threat that election meddling operations pose to governmental legitimacy, understand the ambiguity in international law that allows hostile forces to use the law as a shield and the corresponding risk it creates for decision makers, and take a leadership role in developing clear standards for cyber conduct to diminish the threat. Starting in the early 2000s, foreign actors began using cyber election influence operations to sway target state populations towards foreign strategic objectives. These operations evolved to include interference operations that target election infrastructure through data manipulation and loss of functionality attacks. The United States and others acknowledge the threat these operations pose but have done comparatively little to create a clear framework for responsive actions. The United States can lead the international community towards certainty to mitigate unnecessary conflict due to election meddling by establishing a tough policy and utilizing the United Nations structures to develop law in the area.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 05, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1177682
Entities
People
- Todd J. Gaston
Organizations
- Marine Corps University