International Rules on Targeting of Critical Infrastructure with Cyber Operations

Apr 1, 2021

Maggie Morganti joined Dale Peterson on the show to discuss how International Humanitarian Law (IHL), which almost all countries subscribe to, would treat cyber attacks on critical infrastructure.

• The terms distinction and proportionality (the latter is very important and is on the proportion of civilian to military damage) and how they affect what is permissible under IHL
• How sabotage like Stuxnet or Triton is treated by IHL, and the concept of behind enemy lines - Does IHL mean anything when the most capable players do not agree or exhibit restrictions?
• And a lot more

This is a hard issue and important topic, and Maggie’s master’s thesis is the basis of the discussion.

Links

Preparation and Persistence Paper 

Video of Dale's comparison of cyber conflict situation to pre World War I cult of the offensive