Deterring Malicious Behavior in Cyberspace

In “Deterring Malicious Behavior in Cyberspace,” Scott Jasper explores the growing complexity and intensity of cyber threats posed by a diverse array of malicious actors, including nation-states, terrorists, criminal networks, and independent hackers. The proliferation and sophistication of cyberattack vectors, such as malware, DDoS attacks, and social engineering, make attribution difficult, allowing perpetrators to act with near impunity. Traditional deterrence strategies of punishment, denial, and entanglement struggle to contain these threats due to legal, technical, and strategic challenges. Jasper introduces the idea of “active cyberdefense” as a more proactive, intelligence-driven approach, and he argues that national and international cooperation, as seen in NATO’s comprehensive approach, is essential to managing this cybered conflict, which increasingly blends conventional and digital warfare tactics, as illustrated by the cyber exchanges during the Crimea crisis and cyberattacks tied to political events around the world. He also emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach to cyberdeterrence, one that integrates government, private sector, and international cooperation to respond effectively to cyber threats. Drawing on NATO’s model and US initiatives like the Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative, Jasper highlights the need for partnerships based on mutual interests and collaborative processes. However, he notes key barriers, such as private sector reluctance to share sensitive data and state resistance to binding international rules. While many cyber incidents remain relatively minor, the growing risk of destructive attacks demands a strategic, integrated framework that can support deterrence efforts across multiple fronts.