Upcoming Panel Discussion: Cybersecurity and Cyber Counter Strikes: Concepts and Laws

“Hacking back” techniques–engaging in cyber intrusions on the initial adversary–are becoming increasingly appealing to companies that wish to identify and expose hackers, and potentially cripple the operations of cyber attackers. Companies employing these techniques, however, need to consider potential legal exposure and ethical issues, and be mindful that these activities may incite hackers frustrated with such countermeasures to hit even harder. This panel discussion will review current international and domestic thinking and their relationship to conducting cyber counter strikes against identified adversaries. U.S. laws and articles often do not contain language and definitions regarding the use of a counter strike or fail to completely address the potential of active defense in cyberspace. In addition, these same laws exacerbate the private companies’ ability to actively defend their Intellectual Property (IP) and business interests online with offensive actions. This panel will explore key offensive cyber operation concepts, domestic and international law implications of active defense, and the Tallinn Manual research in relation to countermeasures. The overall objective is to encourage further analysis of the concept of ‘privatized cyber counter strike’ in order to fully understand how this online activity may influence the future of offensive cyber attack deterrence. The panelists for this event are:

• Joe Provost, CEO of Syncstate;
• Karl Wadensten, President of VIBCO;
• Michael Schmitt, Chairman of the International Law Department at the US Naval War College, and main author of the “Tallinn Manual on the International Law Applicable to Cyber Warfare” (NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence);
• Col Bitzes, Staff Judge Advocate of the US Cyber Command; and
• Robert Clark, Distinguished Professor of Law for the US Naval Academy’s Center for Cyber Security. Studies.

Date:             May 20, 2014 Time:   8:30 am – 9:00 am networking breakfast; 9:00 am – 11:00 am panel discussion Place: Pell Center at Salve Regina University Young Building 518 Ruggles Ave.  (on the corner of Bellevue Ave. and Ruggles Ave.) Newport, RI RSVP to [email protected] or 401-341-2927