Foundation
Static background & why it matters
Overview
Cyber warfare refers to state-sponsored or state-sanctioned operations in cyberspace that aim to disrupt, damage, or destroy an adversary's critical infrastructure, military capabilities, or economic systems. The rapid evolution of cyber capabilities has created a significant gap in existing international legal frameworks, which were primarily designed for conventional armed conflicts. This legal ambiguity poses challenges to maintaining international peace and security.
UPSC cares about the evolving nature of warfare, challenges to international law, state sovereignty, national security, and India's strategic interests in a digitally interconnected world. This topic touches upon international relations, security, and the legal implications of technological advancements.
Key facts
Cyber Warfare
State-sponsored or state-sanctioned operations in cyberspace with military or strategic objectives, often targeting critical infrastructure or national security assets.
Jus ad bellum
Laws governing the resort to force (when it is legal to go to war), primarily enshrined in the UN Charter, particularly Article 2(4) and Article 51.
Jus in bello (IHL)
Laws governing the conduct of hostilities (how war is fought), primarily found in the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, focusing on distinction, proportionality, and humanity.
Attribution
The process of identifying the perpetrator of a cyber attack, which is notoriously difficult due to the anonymous and transnational nature of cyberspace.