Examining defences to state-sponsored cyber-operations

In recent years there has been a rise in state-sponsored cyberattacks. There is a continuing debate among scholars, states and international institutions on how the UN Charter can apply to cyber-operations. My dissertation seeks to understand how the UN Charter can apply and what are the appropriate responses open to victim states that have been subject to a cyberattack. More specifically, the dissertation will outline the conditions required to satisfy a state’s right to self-defence in cyberspace and note the limitations of responding to a state-sponsored cyberattack. It will highlight possible reforms and standards required to address the emerging threat of cyberspace. The dissertation is particularly concerned with cyberspace in the context of jus ad bellum. It will not discuss the notion of cyberwar or the principles of jus ad bello.