POTENTIAL EMPLOYMENT OF OFFENSIVE REVERSIBLE CYBERATTACKS FOR STRATEGIC AND ETHICAL PURPOSES
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Authors
Swiatlowski, Zoe M.
Subjects
cyber warfare
cyberattack
reversible cyberattack
strategy
moral obligation
cyberattack
reversible cyberattack
strategy
moral obligation
Advisors
Rowe, Neil C.
Date of Issue
2023-06
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
Reversible cyberattacks are similar to ransomware and can provide a new capability in cyber warfare. They can be effective strategically and often ethically superior. Providing incentives in an attack like returning a system to its prior state can encourage a country to comply with demands by the attacker. This research discusses the types of cyberattack that can be effectively reversed, addressing their structure and capacity for reversibility. Traditional cyberattacks and reversible cyberattacks are compared, considering strategic advantages and ethical obligations and when each would be superior. Other issues addressed are the effects of backup methods, the kinds of collateral damage that cannot be reversed, and the need for a second cyberattack to accomplish reversal.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Information Sciences (IS)
Organization
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NPS Report Number
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Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.