Increasing International Cooperation in Cybersecurity and Adapting Cyber Norms

The malicious use of ICT by states or terrorist groups presents a major risk to the security of the international order. In light of this, it is imperative that political and economic actors, scholars, as well as the civil society mobilize to supervise the use of ICT. Diplomacy and international organizations are essential. In the short term, major powers must drive the creation of a cyber regime. The United States and Russia have a particular role to play to the extent that they are the most advanced states in terms of cyber power. An agreement between the two powers could pave the way for greater negotiations. The United Nations must also continue its efforts in cybersecurity notably through voting on resolutions, which would be an important first step towards the institutionalization of cyber rules. The permanent members of the Security Council should support them in order to make them legitimate. At the same time, the United Nations must continue to oversee and lead cybersecurity discussions. Its involvement would facilitate the creation of an international convention on cybersecurity. More generally, international organizations must share their ideas on cyber security in order to influence and help other actors. Finally, the creation of an independent international court specialized in cyber conflicts would facilitate conflict resolution. In the long-term, all of these actions combined would facilitate the international codification of laws on cyber behaviors.