“Cybersecurity, Terrorism and International Law” – Final Report of the International Law Association Study Group, September 2016

This Study Group is analyzing international law relevant to potential terrorist use of cyber attacks. Cybersecurity policy documents and analyses identify cyber terrorism as a serious threat, with governments fearful terrorists will use cyber attacks against critical infrastructure to damage economies and terrorize societies. The Study Group has four main objectives: (1) examine the threat of cyber terrorism and how technological trends and innovations might affect it; (2) define cyber terrorism based on relevant international law and state practice; (3) produce and analyze an inventory of international law relevant to preventing, protecting against, and responding to cyber terrorism; and (4) assess whether pro-active international legal actions on potential acts of cyber terrorism would be worthwhile and feasible.