Cyberconflict

Abstract

Abstract Cyberconflict can take place between nation-states, take various forms (e.g., cognitive warfare), and involve the use of cyberweapons (e.g., autonomous weapons). Cyberconflict is characteristically a species of covert political action and can be conducted with conventional warfare (e.g., Russia’s invasion of Ukraine). Cyberconflict should be conducted in accordance with moral principles, such as discrimination (i.e., avoiding the deliberate harming of innocents), necessity, and proportionality. However, the application of these principles in cyberspace differs from conventional warfare. A principle of reciprocity in the service of the collective good of global cybersecurity has application to cyberconflict. Regarding fully autonomous weapons (i.e., so-called human-out-of-the-loop weapons), they should be prohibited in most, if not all, circumstances.