Cross-Domain Deterrence in the Cyber World

Abstract

Abstract: Cyber Space, like outer space, is strategically a vital domain for state offence and defence. However, there has been a substantial rise in the sponsored cyber activities to inflict heavy losses to critical infrastructures due to the lack of rules or norms or any strict international regulations to govern the conflicts in cyberspace. This activity affects the national defence strategies when oppressed by the response crisis and hugely impacts the risk factors. In these circumstances, the dilemma is whether any operative or offensive choice in the event of a cyber threat or cyber-attack violates international law. War has always been a last resort when other forms of punishment have failed, but the power dynamic has fundamentally shifted since World War II. State Governments have been hoarding the arsenals that could destroy cities in a second; hence a need for unconventional resolution has led to the evolving nature of deterrence. States must reconsider alternate strategies to protect their sovereignty by implementing cross-domain deterrence that can cripple an adversary economy, swift surgical strike as retaliation, or curb the attack using counterintelligence. The threat landscape in Cyber Space is beyond frontiers, and the consequences cannot be contained at the perimeter by the regular armed forces. Require special forces and strategies to mitigate the risks. Cross-Domain deterrence to increase cyber resilience, it is crucial to identify existing strategy disparities to take necessary actions on the state misconduct and the misconduct of a policy for global cooperation during state-sponsored cyberattacks. This paper discusses the evolving framework by assessing the changing threat landscape and its associated risks.