Wired warfare 3.0: protecting the civilian population during cyber operations

Schmitt, M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7373-9557 (2019) Wired warfare 3.0: protecting the civilian population during cyber operations. International Review of the Red Cross, 101 (1). pp. 333-355. doi: 10.1017/S1816383119000018

Abstract/Summary

As a general matter, international humanitarian law is up to the task of providing the legal framework for cyber operations during an armed conflict. However, two debates persist in this regard, the resolution of which will determine the precise degree of protection the civilian population will enjoy during cyber operations. The first revolves around the meaning of the term “attack” in various conduct of hostilities rules, while the second addresses the issue of whether data may be considered an object such that operations destroying or altering it are subject to the prohibition on attacking civilian objects and that such effects need be considered when considering proportionality and the taking of precautions in attack. Even if these debates were to be resolved, the civilian population would still face risks from the unique capabilities of cyber operations. This article proposes two policies which parties to a conflict should consider adopting in order to ameliorate such risks. They are both based on the premise that military operations must reflect a balance between military concerns and the interest of States in prevailing in the conflict.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/89620
Identification Number/DOI	10.1017/S1816383119000018
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	No Reading authors. Back catalogue items Arts, Humanities and Social Science > School of Law
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
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