Joe Burton. Review of Valeriano, Brandon; Maness, Ryan C., Cyber War versus Cyber Realities: Cyber Conflict in the International System. H-Diplo, H-Net Reviews. April, 2016. (original) (raw)

Cyber-Warfare: A Misrepresentation Of The True Cyber-Threat

Technology now forms an essential part of every country's critical infrastructure and is therefore, a major national security concern. This concern combined with the complexity of cyberspace and political agendas, has caused a misrepresentation of the cyber-threat. Although the motivation of cyber-attacks has only been associated with criminal behavior, espionage and even terrorism; current Administrations and the media would have the country believe that a cyber-war is upon us. This paper demonstrates that cyber-war is certainly a misnomer. To date there has been an inability to acquire any substantial, irrefutable evidence of cyber-warfare; only speculations based on historical information, rumors, propaganda and misinterpretation or misrepresentation of facts. Current international legal framework and interpretations indicate that what has been termed cyber-warfare does not match the criteria for war. While the dispute over the term cyber-war and what it represents will definitely continue, there is consensus on the reality of cyber-weapons and cyber-attacks.

Crouching tiger or phantom dragon: Examining the discourse on global cyber-terror

Known cases of cyber-attacks on sovereign powers are rare, thus examination of cyber-terror remains somewhat anecdotal. Terrorism discourse itself remains mired in ambiguity as little agreement exists as to thresholds that would make unambiguous distinctions between criminal and terror attacks. In this article, we examine a composite of cyber-terror that highlights symbolism and public sentiment and delineates between real and perceived threats. An objective analysis of historical incidents would indicate that fi rst-world powers ' adaptive technologies and sophistication have provided adequate protection against ' cybergeddon ' . However, this reality must be juxtaposed with the mythos that popular media has conjured regarding digital doomsday. In examining this dichotomy between real and perceived threats, we visit the idea that the current direction of cyber-legislation risks heightening international inequality. As the world evolves toward more cyber-dependent relations, dominant economic powers have the ability to be more inclusive as they work toward global law enforcement legislation. This article appeals for attentiveness to social justice in the attempt to alleviate national anxieties associated with cyber-threats.

Cyber War as a threat to International Security.

International Relations theory has endured two failures in the last half century. No International Relations theorist foresaw the end of the Cold War. Likewise with the rise of Cyber War. Whilst the Internet is acknowledged as having the CIA as its parent, no one predicted that it would become a theatre for conflict. Cyber War is here and its impact on our lives will only increase in time. It is only a matter of time before a completely cyber conflict is waged. Yet no theory on Cyber War exists…until now.

Three Controversies on Cyberwar: a Critical Perspective

CANABARRO, D. R. ; BORNE, T. ; CEPIK, M. A. C. . Three Controversies on Cyberwar: a Critical Perspective. In: MPSA Annual Conference, 2013, Chicago - IL - Estados Unidos. MPSA Conference Paper Archive, 2013, on line. The spread of contemporary information and communication technologies among state and non-state actors adds new dimensions to the study of diffusion in global politics. The Digital Era brings about different challenges for national and international security policymaking, heating up academic and political debate surrounding the scope and the implications of the term cyberwar. This paper surveys the evolution of academic and technical production on cyberwar with the intention of providing background for the critical evaluation of the Brazilian case. Finally, it details the prospective research agenda that follows from the evaluation of the Brazilian case.