This article discusses the threat of terrorism in cyberspace and examines the truth of the perceptions of this threat that have formed in recent years. It examines the capabilities that a non-state actor can achieve and whether these can constitute a real threat to the national security of states. For an analysis of the main threats facing a state from a multi-year perspective and in light of anticipated changes in a state’s strategic balance, the factors that threaten the state are presented and the roots of the threat are...
The global battle against terror has done serious damage to al-Qaeda’s physical infrastructures, and thus to limit its exposure, al-Qaeda has stepped up its activity in cyberspace. Activists have learned to exploit internet technologies by using known networks to distribute material for recruitment, training, and coordination of terrorist operations. The internet has a visible side and a hidden side. The visible side includes sites that can be found through an ordinary search, while the hidden side, called the darknet, includes sites...
Though cyberspace is a domain of strategic importance, cyber weapons have not yet been associated with publicly well-enunciated doctrines of use comparable to that of the nuclear age. Taking two very different approaches from the strategic literature—Jervis’ security dilemma and Zagare & Kilgoure’s perfect deterrence model—cyber weapons are demonstrated in both cases to induce a higher level of international instability. In particular, instability is favored by the attribution issue and the lack of clear thresholds. The outline...
Unmanned tools and systems play an increasingly large role in the modern battlefields, as these tools have significant advantages that encourage many countries and violent non-state actors to develop and use them. At the same time, this advanced technology raises moral, ethical, legal, and social concerns and questions. This article explains basic terms in the area of unmanned warfare, examines the developments made in the past twenty years, and presents the United States’ future plans in the field. It raises various challenges...
A common misconception about cyberspace is that once a computer virus or other malware used in an attack is discovered by the security companies, it is rendered useless for future use, because the anti-virus software has identified it and developed immunity against it. But this is not the case. Similar to biological viruses, malicious code can also evolve, making it more resistant to anti-virus software. This kind of code is known as code mutation.
The INSS program on cyberwarfare focuses on the conceptualization and creation of a common languageregarding cyberspace and national security, the development and examination ofnational policy, and the identification of guidelines for a doctrine of cyber warfarefor Israel,both at the national and the inter-organizational level. Research aims tocontribute to an informed public debate on cyberspace security and promotestrong public policy on the issue. This volume compiles eight essays published previously in Military and Strategic...
The debate over the applicability or non-applicability of international law to cyberwar and the need for a cyber-specific international treaty might be irrelevant. Both camps, pro and con, argue about the need for cyberwar to have the Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) or some new international legislation properly cover the cyber domain. Both camps, however, misread how the structure of the cyber domain precludes strategically “piggybacking” on conventional norms of war. International laws on conventional war are effective...
Cyberspace is a phenomenon whose fundamental nature is to utilize an electromagnetic field for human purposes by means of technology. This article argues that such technology is a type of weapon. A common dictionary definition of “weapon” is “any instrument used in combat” or “any means employed to get the better of another.” A “cyber weapon,” therefore, is one that strikes with the purpose of vanquishing another by attacking systems connected to cyberspace. Cyber weapons can be used as...
The classic defense methods employed throughout the world in recent decades are proving unsuccessful in halting modern malware attacks that exploit unknown (and therefore still unsolved) security breaches called “zero-day vulnerabilities.” This article proposes an up-to-date approach, based on an analysis of sensitive information that must be protected, for the purpose of identifying anomalous behavior. The article further proposes relying on the data to be protected as a source of knowledge for developing the defense...
The aim of this article is to present the role of cyber warfare technology in Israel’s security doctrine and to examine Israel’s preparations for dealing with the cyber threat by evaluating three necessary levels: (1) formulating a regular strategy for handling the threat posed by the development of cyber warfare technology; (2) allocating resources and budgets; and (3) effecting changes in the manner in which Israel builds its forces. An assessment of government publications will presumably demonstrate the importance of...
Cyber threats pose a real and growing problem, and to date, United States efforts to counter them have lagged. While the ability to defend against an attack or intrusion must be maintained, the US, like any country, would be well served by deterring its adversaries from acting in the first place – at least when it comes to the most serious of actions, namely cyber warfare. Clearly not all hostile behavior can be deterred, but it is important to identify priorities in this regard and determine how best to address those that lead the...
Frank J. Cilluffo | Sharon L. Cardash | George C. Salmoiraghi
This article examines the current situation regarding various elements of Iran’s cyberspace development process. The first section analyzes the country’s cyberspace strategy, while the second section describes the organizational and operational response to the formulated strategy. This comprises three components: infrastructures for training and developing technological manpower for work in cyberspace; technological developments that have already been introduced; and the overall processes of cyberspace force construction....
