Characterization and Measurement of Cyber Warfare, Spring 2008 - Project 08-01

摘要

Hostile exercises across computer networks are today increasingly common, and the proliferation of such activity is a national security concern. The characterization of cyberspace activity is the subject of much debate; the unique nature of the cyber arena calls into question traditional state boundaries and operational codes of conduct. Actors in cyberspace can exhibit influence from anywhere in the world, thus many hostile acts are difficult to trace. Additionally, targets in cyberspace are often intangible, rendering an appropriate response that is difficult to discern. This report provides a framework useful for delineating such acts, utilizing existing literature and current international law as a frame. Additionally, this research utilized the assumption that all actors and actions in cyberspace carry inherent risks, and did not separate 'bad' actions from 'good.' The following factors were identified by the research team as critical for purposes of cyber act characterization: Motivation, Intent, Target, Effects, and Actors.