Pearl Harbor 2.0: When Cyber-Acts Lead to the Battlefield

摘要

America is under constant attack in cyberspace. Which of these attacks equate to a Pearl Harbor or the terrorists' acts on September 11? Despite an ever increasing number of attacks, no international policy has adequately established a characterization for what acts constitute an "act of war." Many issues are left unaddressed that need to begin with a classification of cyber attacks. We present a method of classification and a broad taxonomy using an effects-based approach to examine malevolent cyber-activities that may evoke counteractions. We aim to spur discussions under our framework for more granular international level discussions.