Cyber Law

This course will focus on the international law applicable to cyber operations. The first part of the course will examine cybercrime, discussing international theories of jurisdiction, unique challenges of investigating transnational cybercrimes, and the core international crimes. The second part of the course will examine peacetime cyber operations. Sovereignty, the prohibition on intervention, the prohibition on the use of force, and the principle of due diligence will be examined, as well as lawful State responses to internationally wrongful cyber acts, such as retorsion, countermeasures, the plea of necessity and self-defense in response to a cyber armed attack. The third part of the course will examine cyber operations that occur during armed conflict. Focus will be made on cyber targeting and international humanitarian law, including the requirement of distinction, proportionality, the prohibition on indiscriminate attacks, and precautions in attack.