Responding to Cyber Attacks and the Applicability of Existing International Law
Abstract
The ever increasing technology of the information age has led to unprecedented access to information, increases in capabilities and the evolution of cyberspace. However, the great advances come with a danger. Information stored on both government and private networks, the networks themselves and the operating systems of infrastructures essential to the security and well being of the United States are exposed to cyber access, disruption and attack operations. The purpose of this paper is to identify how the United States should respond to the threat of cyber operations against essential government and private networks. The paper first examines the applicability of established international law to cyber operations. It next proposes a method for categorizing cyber operations across a spectrum synchronized with established international law. The paper finally discusses actions already taken by the United States to protect critical government and private networks and concludes with additional steps the United States should take to respond to the threat of cyber operations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA589333
Entities
People
- Joseph L. Hilfiker
Organizations
- United States Army War College