Only twenty
years ago, the cybersecurity matters were of any concern only to people in
Hollywood developing movies like “Hackers” that pictured the cybercrimes and
cyberwarfare as science fiction. Today, we can safely say that we are living
this science fiction.
Growing numbers
of cyberattacks on the data and infrastructural systems underlines the
importance of the comprehensive cybersecurity for states as well as individuals
or corporations. World is experiencing the stage when wealth is digitized and
that includes money, personal data and intellectual property. And if you locate
your wealth in the digitized form, you have to be ready that cybercriminals may
target it.
All that is just
one part of the story. On the other hand, for the states like Azerbaijan, that
are engaged in the protracted armed conflict for more than twenty years now,
the nature of warfare is as changing as rapidly developing information and
military technologies. Moreover, when there is an absence of active hostilities
and only occasional skirmishes on the frontline, with years the warfare only
naturally starts to shift its domains. Right now the shift became apparent.
From classic domains of land and air, the warfare for Azerbaijan shifts towards
so-called “5th domain” or cyberspace.
The rapid
development of information technologies both globally as well as regionally
prompts the countries in the region to keep up with the cyberarms race.
Cybersecurity is becoming more crucial for the comprehensive defense of not
only digitalized wealth or data, but also quite physical infrastructure and
communication systems. Free flow of information by itself constitutes a
blessing as well as challenge to sustain and maintain it free.
In such
situation Azerbaijan can soon face variety of cyberweapons directed against it.
Such weapons were already used in several cases to disrupt, deny and deceive an
adversary’s strategic intentions. Though such weapons have not proved to be yet
coercive by themselves, they might become just that in the course of future
development. Moreover, if used with more conventional instruments of power a coercive
effect might build up. The danger of cyberweapons at the same time is in their
contemporary indiscriminate character. Computer viruses such as Stuxnet or
Flame that have been used as cyberweapons, for example, did not feature the
proper level of targeting and became indiscriminate in the process of their
use. Effective cyberattack is usually a complex operation with large burden of
intelligence. Precisely because of that, for now, the resources and ability to
carry out an effective cyberattack lie in the hands of states. However, due to
the rapid development of technology, that might well change in the course of
next years and provide the groups or even individuals with the same abilities
to be engaged in cyberwarfare.
What is more is
that for now there is no clear opinion in the international law itself on the
matters of cyberwarfare. Many questions relate to if the laws of war apply to
cyberwarfare? Can the state exercise its right to self-defense if attacked by
the cyberattack? Can it retaliate with physical force?
In the situation
of uncertainty even on the theoretical level, cybersecurity of Azerbaijan becomes
of growing importance. In light of variety of threats that starts to be even
more apparent. First and main threat in cyberwarfare is simple espionage. While
it becomes more manageable, the danger to the security of your data, strategic
plans or any other classified information increases dramatically as it becomes
digitalized and networked. Cyberthreats directed toward obtaining such
information should be then countered by the comprehensive security measures.
Another area is
so-called “information war”. Being a victim of aggression and even having international
law on your side does not by itself safeguard Azerbaijan from the flow of false
information and propaganda. As our territories still occupied, so is our
country still on the defensive in the “information war”, countering negative
flow of the information as well as propaganda from Armenia. In such situation
you want to maintain both free flow of information for yourself as well as to
protect your “information hubs” from being compromised or misused by the enemy.
Third level of
danger might bring even more severe consequences if reached. Cyberattacks
proved to be able to bring physical and kinetic effects that become much more
an alarming threat as the cyber-weapons progress. In the situation like that it
is crucial for Azerbaijan to maintain an appropriate level of cybersecurity to
protect its critical infrastructure such as energy grids, financial networks
and defense industrial base. The rapid digitalization in these areas brought
both positive results for overall infrastructure as well as new security
concerns.
For Azerbaijan the development of cybersecurity
strategy becomes increasingly important. Comprehensive strategy in this area
would provide for the implementation of effective centralized cybersecurity for
the whole country to be able to answer any modern challenges of cyberwarfare,
explore potential of cyberspace, protect its networks and systems, add to
technological innovations in the area and strengthen collective cybersecurity
with its international partners.
Kamal Makili-Aliyev
Doctor of Laws (LL.D)
03.10.2012
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