Citation[]
East-West Institute, Working Towards Rules for Governing Cyber Conflict: Rendering the Geneva and Hague Conventions in Cyberspace (Feb. 3, 2011) (full-text).
Overview[]
This paper addresses a grave matter for all mankind in the information age. The Geneva and Hague Conventions on war have drawn the last lines of protection for civilians when all else is failing. Preserving the viability and feasibility of these principles is of solemn relevance to billions of this generation and those to come. As our world is rapidly being rewired and integrated with cyberspace, their preservation is neither automatic nor straightforward. Cyberspace is now an integral part of every aspect of our personal lives, the operation of private businesses and the administration of governments. In fact, information and communications technology has profoundly transformed the nature of critical infrastructure and its protection, and war and its prosecution. [Cybersecurity]] has quickly emerged as the linchpin of our mutual safety, stability and security. Yet the "rules of the road" for cyber conflict, or even the norms for behavior, are blatantly absent.
This document sets forth five joint recommendations for the private sector and governments. Some are bold. Each is actionable and, if implemented, will provide some measure of breakthrough for international policy in the arena of governing cyber conflict.