Sign in Subscribe
Handbooks

Empowering Countries to Develop National Positions on International Law and Cyber Activities: A New Handbook

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Countries around the world have been grappling with how to apply international law to cyber activities, and a new handbook is set to provide critical guidance to help them develop or review their national positions on this complex and rapidly evolving issue. The Handbook on Developing a National Position on International Law and Cyber Activities: A Practical Guide for States was presented at the 17th International Conference on Cyber Conflict in Tallinn and is the result of a one-year collaborative project led by the University of Exeter, the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Handbook provides concrete and accessible guidance for government lawyers and policy officials, as well as academics and experts working in the field of international cyber law.
  • The 176-page Handbook includes a concise two-page checklist outlining key steps and best practices for busy officials.
  • Over the course of the project, the team held three regional roundtables in Washington D.C., Singapore, and Addis Ababa, bringing together 77 officials from 46 states to draw on a wide range of perspectives, including from countries in the Global South.
  • Many states are now offering their positions and clarifications about the legal boundaries of cyber activities, but this can be a complex and challenging process, including defining the aims, planning and coordinating the process, finding capacity building opportunities, and negotiating the content and format.
  • The Handbook underscores the importance of national positions as a tool to clarify the law, foster accountability, and build confidence.
  • The project was developed in close coordination with regional and global partners, including the African Union, the Organization of American States, the Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, and the Centre for International Law at the National University of Singapore.
  • The launch of the Handbook marks a milestone in international efforts to promote an open, secure, stable, accessible, and peaceful ICT environment.

Statistics:

  • The Handbook is a 176-page guide that includes a concise two-page checklist outlining key steps and best practices for busy officials.
  • The project involved holding three regional roundtables in Washington D.C., Singapore, and Addis Ababa, bringing together 77 officials from 46 states.
  • £75,000 was granted to the project through the UK Economic and Social Research Council's Impact Accelerator Account to support the development of the Handbook.

Sources:

  • University of Exeter
  • NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE)
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
  • African Union
  • Organization of American States
  • Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany
  • Centre for International Law at the National University of Singapore

Read more