Computer Network Attack and the Laws of Armed Conflict

<p>Computer network attack ushered in change for the profession of arms. Militaries achieve effects using computers previously attained only through physical destruction. Computer network attack's problem is it operates outside the observable domain the laws of armed conflict describe yet its effects are what the laws address. Thus the primary research question is: Does a legal framework of analysis exist for computer network attack? The secondary question became: If a framework exists is it applied consistently throughout the Department of Defense? A search of literature and interviews with information operators and their associated lawyers revealed a framework by Thomas Wingfield. The framework analyzes the level of force but does not address the four basic principles for warfare; military necessity humanity proportionality and discrimination. Also the framework is not applied throughout the Department of Defense. The Joint Task Force Computer Network Operations' creation is the first step in building a hierarchical structure for consistent application of law to computer network attack. Research recommends such a structure expand Wingfield's framework for computer network attack to be a viable weapon for Twenty-First-Century Warfare.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>