Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 07/2013

The limits of compulsory cyber power: Assessing ecological potential and restraints in the digital domain

Hans-Inge Langø

June 2013

Norwegian Institute of International Affairs

Abstract

Hostile actors in cyberspace are considered one of the fastest growing threats to states. Much has been written on the subject, but the available literature remains parochial, lacking a unifying understanding of the environment. This paper proposes a systematic approach to understanding the political utility of cyberspace, specifically the character of compulsory cyber power.