Towards Cyber Peace Through International Cooperation

Cyber war presents a new front in inter-state conflict. While information and communication technologies present new opportunities in the growth and innovation initiatives, the phenomenon increasingly exposes people to disruption and exploitation by malicious characters. The article Towards Cyberspace: Managing Cyberwar Through International Cooperation highlights the measures that should be taken in managing cyberwar.

Primarily, the article suggests that cyberattacks have increased significantly in recent years. While most of the attacks are financially motivated, cyberthreats may threaten national security and thus inspiring cyber wars between different countries. It is important for governments to identify measures that can be instituted to mitigate exposure to cyber threats and cyberwars. To achieve the goal, governments will be required to streamline international cooperation. Information sharing and assistance, as components of international cooperation, will enable the realization of cyber peace.

Expectedly, there are several international organizations that have committed themselves towards the development of policies that can be used to collectively address challenges posed by cyberthreats. For instance, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), oversees education, consultation, lessons learned and analyses needed to promote cybersecurity. The partners in the treaty are protected by the principles which underline operations in the NATO institution, and thus protected from cyberthreats. The increase in the number of countries embracing national cybersecurity strategies provides insight on the influential role that international organizations play in the achievement of collective cyber peace.

In my opinion, Taliharm (2013) succeeded in highlighting the need for collective interstate and organizational efforts in the realization of cyber peace. Documenting the international cooperation and principle developments in the mitigation of cyberwarfare facilitates the presentation of interventions that are practical and achievable. The brevity of the content also serves to inspire curiosity and enhance comprehension of matters that are related to cyberspace.

Reference

Talihärm, A. M. (2013). Towards cyberpeace: Managing cyberwar through international cooperation. UN Chronicle, 50(2), 7-9.