Cyber Warfare

Cyber warfare involves the actions by a nation-state or international organization to attack and attempt to damage another nation's computers or information networks through, for example, computer viruses or denial-of-service attacks. RAND research provides recommendations to military and civilian decisionmakers on methods of defending against the damaging effects of cyber warfare on a nation's digital infrastructure.

Research conducted by: Transportation, Space, and Technology Program; RAND National Security Research Division; RAND Europe

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Cyberdeterrence and Cyberwar

Because it will be difficult to prevent cyber attacks on critical civilian and military computer networks by threatening to punish attackers, the United States must focus its efforts on defending these networks from cyber attack.

All Items (22)

MULTIMEDIA

Information Sharing for Cyber-Security: Evidence from Europe — May 7, 2012

In this May 2012 Congressional Briefing, Neil Robinson presented evidence from empirical studies conducted in Europe regarding cyber-security and information exchange, specifically between organizations such as information sharing and analysis centers, computer emergency response teams, and cyber-crime police.

PROJECT

Cybersecurity: Examining Challenges for the Future — Feb 29, 2012

Cyberspace is increasingly important for economic growth, openness, and democracy, but poor cybersecurity can make governments, businesses, and individuals open to cyber attack and cyber crime. RAND Europe conducts a range of research on the topic to advise policymakers.

COMMENTARY

Could Bin Laden's Death Prompt a Cyber Attack? — May 6, 2011

A truly monumental attack that could cripple key U.S. computer systems — something akin to the Stuxnet worms attack on Iran's nuclear infrastructure, for example — would take many months of planning, significant expertise, and a great deal of money to pull off, writes Isaac Porche.

REPORT

Chinese Use of Cyberwar as an Anti-Access Strategy: Two Scenarios — Jan 27, 2011

Testimony presented before the U.S. China Economic and Security Review Commission on January 27, 2011.

COMMENTARY

Stuxnet Is the World's Problem — Dec 9, 2010

The highly sophisticated Stuxnet computer worm suspected of sending Iran's nuclear centrifuges into self-destruction mode forces a difficult debate on whether longstanding firewalls in our country's democracy should be breached for the sake of national security, writes Isaac Porche.

REPORT

Air Force Cyber Command (Provisional) Decision Support — Feb 24, 2010

The Air Force has established an organization to address cyberspace because of its potential effects on core missions and capabilities. RAND has been helping clarify certain details. Among the observations made here are the need for concrete missions and tasks and appropriate strategies, as well as capable personnel to carry them out. But to “fly and fight in cyberspace,” the Air Force will also need to address creating effects…

REPORT

Human Capital Management for the USAF Cyber Force — Feb 22, 2010

The Air Force is creating a formal organization dedicated to cyberspace capabilities. This organization would provide combat-ready forces trained and equipped to conduct sustained offensive and defensive global operations in and through cyberspace that are fully integrated with air and space operations. This documented briefing identifies and analyzes the human capital management issues associated with the creation of a cyber force.

JOURNAL ARTICLE

Security, at What Cost? — Dec 31, 2009

Much of the current debate concerning civil liberties and security is adversarial, and little robust research data informs these arguments.This paper outlines the results of a study that attempts to objectively understand the real privacy, liberty and security trade-offs made by individuals, so that policymakers can be better informed about the preferences of individuals with regard to these important issues.

NEWS RELEASE

U.S. Must Focus on Protecting Critical Computer Networks from Cyber Attack — Oct 8, 2009

Because it will be difficult to prevent cyber attacks on critical civilian and military computer networks by threatening to punish attackers, the United States must focus its efforts on defending these networks from cyber attack.

COMMENTARY

The Cracks in Data Privacy — May 19, 2009

In the future, the EU will inevitably have to adjust its system of rules to cope with the evolving uses of personal data, globalization and international data flows, write Neil Robinson and Lorenzo Valeri.

NEWS RELEASE

Computer-Based Crime to Be Focus of Silicon Valley Forum — Sep 25, 2007

Security experts from the technology industry, law enforcement and academia will outline what is needed to better measure and understand the effect of computer-based crime in the United States during a public forum Sept. 25 in Silicon Valley.

REPORT

Conquest in Cyberspace: National Security and Information Warfare — May 12, 2007

Explores the potential for and limitations to information warfare, including its use in weapons systems and in command-and-control operations as well as in the generation of “noise” and how far “friendly conquest” in cyberspace extends.

NEWS RELEASE

RAND Launches National Computer Security Survey for Departments of Justice and Homeland Security — May 2, 2006

On behalf of the U.S. Departments of Justice and Homeland Security, the RAND Corporation is fielding the first national survey to measure the impact of cybercrime on American businesses.

REPORT

The Zapatista "Social Netwar" in Mexico — Jan 1, 1998

The Zapatista movement in Mexico is a seminal case of a new mode of conflict -- netwar -- in which the protagonists depend on using network forms of organization, doctrine, strategy, and technology.

REPORT

The Advent Of Netwar — Jan 1, 1996

This report examines how netwar, due to the evolution of societies according to a framework presented by the authors, may be the dominant mode of societal conflict in the 21st century.

REPORT

Security in Cyberspace: Challenges for Society: Proceedings of an International Conference — Dec 31, 1995

Topics covered include the magnitude of the cyberspace security threat and the threat's consequences; impediments to improved security in cyberspace and what must be done to remove them; ...

PEOPLE

Martin C. Libicki

Senior Management Scientist
Ph.D. in economics, M.A. in city and regional planning, University of California, Berkeley; S.B. in mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

PEOPLE

Christopher Paul

Social Scientist; Professor, Pardee RAND Graduate School
Ph.D., M.A., and B.A. in sociology, University of California, Los Angeles

PEOPLE

Maryse Penny

Associate Analyst
M.A. with honours in politics and economic and social history, University of Edinburgh; M.A. in international conflict studies, King's College London

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