Call for Papers

Over a decade ago, Dr. Richard Harknett argued in the U.S. Army War College Quarterly that, "deterrence models developed during the Cold War will provide poor guidance for strategic thinking about (Information Warfare)". At the Cyber Conflict Studies Association, we are unaware of any compelling research before or since that successfully refutes Dr. Harknett's statement.

The necessary ingredients for successful deterrence of strategic threats are well understood, and have been for decades. They haven't changed. The cyber attacks against Estonian government and commercial networks in the spring of 2007 were, to many, a wakeup call. While the global capacity for strategic cyber attacks has evolved dramatically over the last ten years, with obvious repercussions for national militaries as well as network dependent societies and economies, the frameworks necessary to deter those attacks have not. Should national decision-makers care? We believe so.

For this reason the Cyber Conflict Studies Association has decided to devote its research focus in 2008 to the concept of deterrence.

In line with this focus, the CCSA seeks papers for publication in the December 2008 edition of our Journal of Cyber Conflict Studies on the following theme related to cyber deterrence: "Drawing Lessons from Estonia, Can Any Network-Dependent Nation Successfully Deter a Debilitating Cyber Attack?"

Submitters are invited to deal with this theme from any number of perspectives. Questions to consider include the following:

• What factors will govern the capacity of a state or organization to deter cyberattack?
• What characteristics of cyberwarfare capabilities will constitute the most effective deterrent means versus what sorts of adversaries?
• What thresholds for response might be established?
• How will adversaries signal intent/communicate in situations involving cyberwarfare capabilities?
• How would coercive and deterrent uses of cyberwarfare forces likely fail or fall short?
• How could the role of the private sector, which organizes and would conduct the defenses of most critical infrastructure, change traditional views of the nature of deterrence?"
• Would private companies defending critical sectors be coerced at a lower level than the government? What (defensive) policies from governments could prevent or forestall this? What (offensive) policies could hasten it?
• Do private sector companies defending critical sectors need higher levels of protection and cooperation to avoid coercion from nation states than they do for criminal threats?

Among the technical study areas related to this theme, a number of problems are germane including attribution, calculating effects, and targeting/reconnaissance.

Let us be clear. The consensus opinion among CCSA Board members is that, at least in the U.S., intellectual advancement in the area of cyber deterrence has been stagnant. Our purpose in choosing this annual theme is to advance the current state of thought on this important topic, not re-plow existing ground. If traditional deterrence models will not work, what will replace them?

Call for Papers

All papers will be peer reviewed and considered for publication in the December 2008 Journal of Cyber Conflict Studies, as well as for presentation at workshops or symposia, and for inclusion in our online database.

Guidelines

1. Prior to the submission of a paper an Abstract limited to 150 words should be sent to research@cyberconflict.org for consideration and acceptance.
2. Papers are limited to 3,000 words.
3. All papers should address the central issue raised in this Call for Papers. The CCSA realizes that authors may have research that is not reflected in the pages above. We will accept Abstracts for consideration on related topics.
4. Paper format requirements:
• Title or cover page, which must include: a) title; b) word count for paper and abstract; c) author's contact information including name, title, address and email.
• Papers must be double spaced, 1 inch margins on all sides, all pages numbered, text in 12 pt Times New Roman Font.
• Only one submission per author.
• Paper should be in a format which is readable in Microsoft WORD ™ and submitted electronically to research@cyberconflict.org.
• Citations: Use Turabian Citation and Format Style Guide
• Available at Bucknell University, Information Services & Resources

 
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