Cyberwarfare

There has been writing on cyberwarfare in different publication recently. Article in Arms Control Today (Vol. 40, No. 5, June 2010, Multilateral Agreements To Constrain Cyberconflict by James A. Lewis) discusses the possibilities and problems of multilateral agreements to constrain cyberconflict. The writer distinguishes three problems for multilateral agreement

- Because information is vital in warfare it would be difficult to declare digital infrastructures off-limits.
- As is usual for arms control agreements, verification will be a difficult issue.
- Countries do not want to discuss their possible cyberwarfare capabilities.
It is difficult to prove the source of the attack.

As Lewis argues “the precedent is not perfect” but nevertheless “non-proliferation offers a useful framework for developing the elements of a cooperative approach to cyberwarfare”. Further cooperation would be useful since “the goal in developing international norms for cyberconflict would be to stigmatize certain actions in cyberspace and to reduce uncertainty by creating a normative framework for cyberconflict”.

Article in the Economist (July 3rd, 2010, Leaders) has the same approach: nuclear and conventional weapons are controlled so why not cyberwar. However, the U.S. has resisted weapons treaties for cyberspace:

1. There is a risk of rigid global regulation of the internet.
2. American internet companies might suffer.
3. Treaties might stifle innovation.
4. The openness of the internet might be restricted

Interestingly, Russia has called for a treaty as a “starting point for international debate”.

In July (Washington Post, July 17, 2010, 15 nations agree to start working together to reduce cyberwarfare threat by Ellen Nakashima) a step was taken that is close to the Russian suggestion when an accord was reached in the UN. As Robert K. Knake argues the agreement is a “significant change in U.S posture”. But, as the article states, the agreement is only recommendations and omitted controversial issues.

Hopefully there is now enough momentum for a treaty one day. Well, better an optimist than a pessimist.