The Militarization of Cyber Security as a Source of Global Tension

Author(s): Myriam Dunn Cavelty
Editor(s): Daniel Möckli
Series Editor(s): Andreas Wenger
Book Title: Strategic Trends 2012: Key Developments in Global Affairs
Series: Strategic Trends
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich
Publication Year: 2012
Publication Place: Zurich

Cyber security is seen as one of the most pressing national security issues of our time. Due to sophisticated and highly publicized cyber attacks such as Stuxnet, it is increasingly framed as a strategic issue. The diffuse nature of the threat, coupled with a heightened sense of vulnerability, has brought about a growing militarization of cyber security. This has resulted in too much attention on the low probability of a large scale cyber attack, a focus on the wrong policy solutions, and a detrimental atmosphere of insecurity and tension in the international system. Though cyber operations will be a significant component of future conflicts, the role of the military in cyber security will be limited and needs to be carefully defined.

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