May 9, 2014

Colloquium Topic: Reflections on Cyber Warfare: Some Unresolved Policy and Strategic Issues

In 2009, a report of the National Academies found that the policy, strategic, and legal framework for cyber warfare was ill-formed, undeveloped, and highly uncertain.   The past 5 years have not seen much evolution in this framework.  Emphasizing questions rather than answers, this entirely unclassified talk will describe a number of major issues regarding cyber warfare and cyber conflict that have yet to be resolved.

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Colloquium Speaker: Herbert S. Lin

Herbert S. Lin is chief scientist at the Computer Science and Telecommunications Board, National Research Council of the National Academies, where he has been the study director of major projects on public policy and information technology. These projects include a number of studies related to cybersecurity: Cryptography's Role in Securing the Information Society  (1996); Realizing the Potential of C4I: Fundamental Challenges (1999); Engaging Privacy and Information Technology in a Digital Age (2007); Toward a Safer and More Secure Cyberspace (2007);Technology, Policy, Law, and Ethics Regarding U.S. Acquisition and Use of Cyberattack Capabilities (2009); and Proceedings of a Workshop on Deterring Cyberattacks: Informing Strategies and Developing Options (2010).  Prior to his NRC service, he was a professional staff member and staff scientist for the House Armed Services Committee (1986-1990), where his portfolio included defense policy and arms control issues. He received his doctorate in physics from MIT.