The Law of Cyber Targeting

Tallinn Paper No. 7

23 Pages Posted: 16 Jan 2015

See all articles by Michael N. Schmitt

Michael N. Schmitt

Lieber Institute, USMA at West Point; University of Reading School of Law; Naval War College - Stockton Center for the Study of International Law

Date Written: January 15, 2015

Abstract

The Tallinn Papers are produced by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence to inform policy makers about cyber related issues. This paper examines the law that governs the use of cyber weapons and techniques on the battlefield. In particular, it address when such operations are subject to the prohibitions on attacking civilians and civilian objects. It also examines application of the rule of proportionality and the requirement to take precautions in attack when conducting cyber operations.

Keywords: Cyber, humanitarian law, law of armed conflict, distinction, proportionality, precautions in attack

Suggested Citation

Schmitt, Michael N., The Law of Cyber Targeting (January 15, 2015). Tallinn Paper No. 7, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2550425

Michael N. Schmitt (Contact Author)

Lieber Institute, USMA at West Point ( email )

600 Thayer Rd
West Point, NY Rhode Island 10996
United States
4016190192 (Phone)
02871-5150 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://https://www.reading.ac.uk/law/Staff/m-schmitt.aspx

University of Reading School of Law ( email )

Whiteknights
Reading, Berkshire RG6 6AH
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://https://www.reading.ac.uk/law/Staff/m-schmitt.aspx

Naval War College - Stockton Center for the Study of International Law ( email )

686 Cushing Road
Newport, RI 02841
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
452
Abstract Views
2,214
Rank
117,361
PlumX Metrics