'Cyber-rattling: can 'pre-positioning' in cyberspace amount to a threat of the use of force under Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter?

Pre-positioning is the process by which computer code is installed on the network or system of a rival state, to allow for future hostile cyber activity if required. This process is a critical concern for states given its potential for destabilisation in international security. Consideration of how...

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Veröffentlicht in:Journal on the use of force and international law Jg. 11; H. 1-2; S. 50 - 86
1. Verfasser: Skingsley, Juliet
Format: Journal Article
Sprache:Englisch
Veröffentlicht: Routledge 02.07.2024
Schlagworte:
Article 2
cyber
force
pre-positioning
Threat
ISSN:2053-1702, 2053-1710
Online-Zugang:Volltext
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Zusammenfassung:Pre-positioning is the process by which computer code is installed on the network or system of a rival state, to allow for future hostile cyber activity if required. This process is a critical concern for states given its potential for destabilisation in international security. Consideration of how international law, specifically Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, governs pre-positioning is therefore important. Analysis of threats of force in cyberspace remains under-studied however, and threats of force are undefined in the UN Charter. This article identifies the key criteria for a threat of force, and concludes that although cyber pre-positioning could in some circumstances result in a use of force, it is unlikely that it is communicated in sufficiently precise terms, beyond that of 'cyber brandishing', to amount to a threat of force. The article considers what this may mean for states' ability to respond to cyber pre-positioning.
ISSN:2053-1702
2053-1710
DOI:10.1080/20531702.2024.2413791