Cyberattacks and cyber conflict : where is conflict resolution?

Abstract

In this paper we analyse cyberattacks and cyber conflict and the challenges they pose to the field of conflict resolution. State and non-state actors alike are conducting cyberattacks in new and sophisticated ways that result in conflicts which are not readily addressed by conflict resolution approaches. Consequently, these developments in cyberspace take place without much input from conflict resolution scholars and practitioners. We suggest that these developments in cyberspace result in changing relationships between actors, and thus potentially different types of conflict, based around two key problems. First, there is the problem of attribution. Cyberspace is inherently linked with anonymity and attributing a cyberattack with certainty is almost never possible. In addition, it is difficult to distinguish the difference between various types of actors, which include a mixture of states, non-state groups, and individual hackers.