Accession Number:

AD1031399

Title:

The Legal Limits of Targeting the Cyber Capabilities of a Neutral State

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report

Corporate Author:

Air Command and Staff College, Air University Maxwell Air Force Base United States

Personal Author(s):

• Williams,Ja Rai A.

Report Date:

2015-10-01

Pagination or Media Count:

23.0

Abstract:

Legal practitioners must rely on current international law and norms to address the legalities of injurious cyber operations conducted by one State against another State.1 Cyber operations can be surprising and debilitating especially if States conduct such operations against U.S. armed forces. With its focus on defensive operations, the U.S. military appears to be less prepared to act offensively. In Cyber War, Richard A. Clarke and Robert K. Knake wrote there is no conventional military force in the world superior to that of the U.S., assuming that the U.S. military is not blinded or disconnected by a cyber attack.

Descriptors:

• computer networks
• cyberattacks
• electrical grids
• denial of service attack
• global positioning systems
• infrastructure
• collateral damage
• department of defense
• international law
• data acquisition
• civilian population

Subject Categories:

• Sociology and Law
• Computer Systems Management and Standards

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE