Norms of Responsible State Behaviour in Cyberspace

Abstract

Cyberspace has witnessed a ‘militarisation’ as a growing number of states engage in a variety of cyber operations directed against foreign entities. The rate of this militarisation has outstripped the diplomatic efforts undertaken to provide this unique environment with some ‘rules of the road’. The primary mechanism for discussing possible norms of responsible state behaviour has been a series of UN Groups of Governmental Experts, which have produced three consensus reports over the last decade. The 2015 report recommended a series of principles and confidence-building measures to prevent conf1lict, but prospects for its implementation have receded as differences amongst states persist over how security concepts should be applied to cyberspace. Renewed efforts to promote responsible state behaviour will require greater engagement on the part of the private sector and civil society, both of which have a huge stake in sustaining cyber peace.