In a recent article, Helene Pleil discusses the challenges of establishing arms control measures in cyberspace. With the ongoing war in Ukraine extending to cyberspace, the need for regulating malicious technological actions has become more pressing. While traditional arms control measures have been effective in preventing military escalation, applying these principles to cyberweapons is proving to be challenging. The lack of clear definitions and the dual-use nature of cyber tools make it difficult to establish what should be controlled under a cyber arms treaty.
Moreover, verifying cyberweapons presents a significant hurdle as they can be easily replicated and shared worldwide without detection. The rapid evolution of cyberattack technology and the involvement of the private sector further complicate regulatory efforts. Pleil suggests shifting the focus from regulating the weapons themselves to banning specific harmful actions. Attribution, the process of assigning cyber operations to specific actors, could serve as a basis for sanctioning the use of cyberweapons.
International negotiations within the United Nations have led to the establishment of norms for responsible state behavior in cyberspace, but these norms are voluntary and often violated. Pleil advocates for making these norms more binding and holding states accountable for malicious actions. By focusing on banning harmful acts and using attribution as a tool for accountability, Pleil suggests creative alternatives to traditional arms control measures in cyberspace.
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