Cyber operations and the use of force in international law

Roscini, M. 2014. Cyber operations and the use of force in international law. Oxford Oxford University Press.

TitleCyber operations and the use of force in international law
AuthorsRoscini, M.
Abstract

The internet has changed the rules of many
industries, and war is no exception. But can a
computer virus be classed as an act of war? Does
a Denial of Service attack count as an armed
attack? And does a state have a right to selfdefence
when attacked in cyberspace? With the
range and sophistication of cyber attacks against
states showing a dramatic increase in recent
times, this book investigates the traditional
concepts of ‘use of force’, ‘armed attack’, and
‘armed conflict’ and asks whether existing laws
created for analogue technologies can be applied
to new digital developments.
The book provides a comprehensive analysis
of primary documents and surrounding literature
to establish whether and how existing rules
on the use of force in international law apply
to cyber operations. It assesses the rules of the
jus ad bellum, the jus in bello, and the law of
neutrality (whether based on treaty or custom),
and analyses why each rule applies or does
not apply in the context of cyber operations.
Those rules which can be seen to apply are then
discussed in relation to each specific type of
cyber operation. The book addresses the key
questions of whether a cyber operation amounts
to a use of force and, if so, whether the victim
state can exercise its right of self-defence;
whether cyber operations trigger the application
of international humanitarian law when they are
not accompanied by traditional hostilities; what
rules must be followed in the conduct of cyber
hostilities; how neutrality is affected by cyber
operations; and whether those conducting cyber
operations are combatants, civilians, or civilians
taking direct part in hostilities. The book is
essential reading for everyone wanting a better
understanding of how international law regulates
cyber combat.

Keywordscyber attacks, international law, law of armed conflict, United Nations Charter, use of force, self-defence
Year2014
PublisherOxford University Press
Publication dates
Published2014
Place of publicationOxford
ISBN9780199655014
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199655014.001.0001

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