Discussing the implications of a probable cyber war
Answers
Cyberwar is currently a hot topic of discussion and debate, much of which is potentially damaging. The term “cyberwar” is too frequently casually bandied about for dramatic effect, to instill fear, or exaggerate or obfuscate grim realities.
The book There Will Be Cyberwar is a moderating and significant contribution to current cyberwar discourse. Richard Stiennon, the book’s author and renowned cybersecurity industry analyst, declares that there will be cyberwar, but first adeptly anticipates and defeats possible accusations of hyperbolic use of the term by explaining how the term “war” has been used colloquially in many contexts, including “trade war,” “currency war” and even “war of words.”
Stiennon then, unlike too many cyberwar commentators, adopts a constrained definition of the term and leads the reader on a measured, persuasive explanation of how the move to network-centric war fighting has set the stage for cyberwar. In contrast to Stiennon’s carefully considered approach that provides a definition and methodology, much public commentary is merely banter about cyberwar,” without definition of the term and with distortions in its application, up to and including the fantastic and fictionalized.
To the detriment of informed public debate, "cyberwar" is not a defined term of art in law or legal convention. Rather, traditional law of war concepts are applied to cyber “issues” or more precisely, cyber operations. While the lack of normative guidance on the conduct of “cyberwar” may be self-evident to scholars in the field, it is not to the public. It is important for the public to begin to grapple with the intricacies of the law of war as applied to cyber operations.
“Cyberwar” as a term can be used a handy shorthand for the law of war as applied to cyber operations in general, provided that actual explanation is accurate according to current authoritative precepts. A more precise discussion of law of war as applied to cyber operations will provide a more structured underpinning for public debate, and one that does not obfuscate important details. Focusing on currently developing guidance on the law of war as applied to civilian participation in cyber operations may also bring more precision to the "cyberwar" table by personalizing the topic.
Cyberwar is currently a hot topic of discussion and debate, much of which is potentially damaging. The term “cyberwar” is too frequently casually bandied about for dramatic effect, to instill fear, or exaggerate or obfuscate grim realities.
The book There Will Be Cyberwar is a moderating and significant contribution to current cyberwar discourse. Richard Stiennon, the book’s author and renowned cybersecurity industry analyst, declares that there will be cyberwar, but first adeptly anticipates and defeats possible accusations of hyperbolic use of the term by explaining how the term “war” has been used colloquially in many contexts, including “trade war,” “currency war” and even “war of words.”
Stiennon then, unlike too many cyberwar commentators, adopts a constrained definition of the term and leads the reader on a measured, persuasive explanation of how the move to network-centric war fighting has set the stage for cyberwar. In contrast to Stiennon’s carefully considered approach that provides a definition and methodology, much public commentary is merely banter about cyberwar,” without definition of the term and with distortions in its application, up to and including the fantastic and fictionalized.
To the detriment of informed public debate, "cyberwar" is not a defined term of art in law or legal convention. Rather, traditional law of war concepts are applied to cyber “issues” or more precisely, cyber operations. While the lack of normative guidance on the conduct of “cyberwar” may be self-evident to scholars in the field, it is not to the public. It is important for the public to begin to grapple with the intricacies of the law of war as applied to cyber operations.
“Cyberwar” as a term can be used a handy shorthand for the law of war as applied to cyber operations in general, provided that actual explanation is accurate according to current authoritative precepts. A more precise discussion of law of war as applied to cyber operations will provide a more structured underpinning for public debate, and one that does not obfuscate important details. Focusing on currently developing guidance on the law of war as applied to civilian participation in cyber operations may also bring more precision to the "cyberwar" table by personalizing the topic.