The case for humanitarian cyber operations

Abstract

Cyber operations are designed to be a tool for defense, security and war. In the same way as harmless computer technology can be used as dual-purpose tools for war, tools of war can be used for humanity, to protect the innocent, uphold respect for our fellow beings and safeguard human rights. When a nation-state acts against its population and risks their welfare through repression, violence and exposure to mistreatment, there is a possibility for the world community to take actions by launching humanitarian cyber operations to protect the targeted population. In the non-cyber world, atrocities are intervened by military intervention using the principle of “responsibility to protect,” which allows foreign interference in domestic affairs to protect a population from their repressive and violent ruler without triggering an act of war. If a state fails to protect the welfare of its citizens, then the state that commits atrocities against its population is no longer protected from foreign intervention.