In this dissertation, I aim to examine how decisive cyber operations will be in future warfare by examining the evolution, significance, and implications of cyber operations in the context of both historical and future warfare, considering their impact on military strategy, technological advancements, international relations, and the challenges they present.
My thoughts:
Avoid overestimating Cyber’s decisiveness, as it is still considered more of an assistant domain to other domains and not yet decisive on its own. However, we can emphasise that the rapid development in technology, particularly in AI and Quantum Computing, may play a key role in the Cyber future, giving it a greater effect on its own. Still, we need to give evidence for this prediction.
Please write a dissertation of no more than 14999 words (including footnotes). The references provided with this request are recommended by the supervisor who will be marking this paper, so please use them as primary sources; they are named Cyber Reading list (Supervisor Recommendation). You can also provide your suggested sources. (However, they must be published as credible sources and peer reviews.)
Suggested Outline
(Already agreed with the supervisor, so please no changes without informing me):
Word Count:
Introduction (500 words)
Literature Review (2,500 words)
Historical
Context of Cyber Warfare (1,500 words)
The
Role of Technology in Future Warfare (2,000 words)
Cyber
Operations and Military Strategy (2,000 words)
Case
Studies of Cyber Warfare (2,500 words)
Future
Trends in Cyber Operations (2,000 words)
Challenges
and Limitations (1,500 words)
Conclusion
(500 words)
Total Word Count:
15,000 words
Sub-Questions:
What is the historical context of cyber
warfare, and how has it evolved over time? (1,500 words)
Explore the origins of cyber warfare and
key milestones in its development.
What role will technology play in future
warfare, and how will it shape military operations? (2,000 words)
Discuss emerging technologies such as AI,
quantum computing, and IoT and their impact on warfare.
How do cyber operations fit into military
strategy, and what advantages or disadvantages do they offer to modern
armed forces? (2,000
words)
Analyze the integration of cyber
operations into traditional military doctrines.
Can you provide case studies of
significant cyber warfare incidents and their outcomes in recent years? (2,500 words)
Examine notable cyber attacks, their
targets, and the consequences for nations involved.
What are the future trends in cyber
operations, and how will they affect the balance of power in international
relations? (2,000 words)
Predict the trajectory of cyber
capabilities and their geopolitical implications.
What are the challenges and limitations of
cyber operations in future warfare? (1,500 words)
Discuss issues related to attribution,
ethics, international norms, and the potential for cyber escalation.
1. Introduction
(500 words):
Start by introducing the concept of cyber
operations and their increasing relevance in modern warfare.
Provide a brief overview of the evolving
nature of warfare, highlighting the integration of cyber capabilities.
Mention the six sub-questions that will be
addressed in the essay, giving readers an outline of what to expect.
2. Literature
Review (2,500 words):
Dedicate this section to reviewing the
academic and scholarly literature on cyber warfare.
Categorize existing research into key
themes, such as historical development, technological aspects, strategic
implications, and case studies.
Discuss the major theories and debates in
the field, including discussions on offence vs. defence, attribution, and
deterrence in the cyber context.
Highlight the contributions of significant
scholars and researchers in the domain.
Note: “I have attached my literature review for you to review. It may not be completely professional, but I have tried to group the authors according to their findings and have limited myself to the sources suggested by my supervisor. Please take a look and let me know your thoughts. Feel free to use it if you find it serving this research.”
3. Historical
Context of Cyber Warfare (1,500 words):
Delve into the historical evolution of
cyber warfare, starting with early instances like cyber espionage during
the Cold War.
Discuss landmark events that shaped the
understanding of cyber warfare, such as the Morris Worm and the 2007
cyberattacks on Estonia.
Explain how cyber operations have grown in
complexity and sophistication over time.
4. The Role of
Technology in Future Warfare (2,000 words):
Explore the transformative impact of
emerging technologies on future warfare.
Analyze the role of artificial
intelligence, machine learning, quantum computing, and autonomous systems
in shaping military strategies and tactics.
Discuss the concept of the
“informationised battlefield” and how it redefines the nature of
conflicts.
5. Cyber Operations
and Military Strategy (2,000 words):
Examine the integration of cyber
operations into military doctrines, including the concept of
“multi-domain operations.”
Discuss how cyber capabilities complement
traditional military strategies and the advantages they bring, such as
precision targeting and disruption of enemy communication.
Explore the disadvantages, such as
vulnerability to cyber counterattacks and the challenges of deterrence in
the cyber realm.
6. Case Studies of
Cyber Warfare (2,500 words):
Provide detailed case studies of
significant cyber warfare incidents, such as the Stuxnet worm that
targeted Iran’s nuclear program and the NotPetya ransomware attack.
Analyze the technical aspects of these
incidents, the actors involved, and their motivations.
Evaluate the consequences of these
incidents on both the affected nations and the broader international
community.
7. Future Trends in
Cyber Operations (2,000 words):
Predict future trends in cyber operations,
considering the evolution of technology and state and non-state actor
capabilities.
Discuss potential scenarios for cyber
conflicts and their implications for global security.
Address the changing dynamics of cyber
warfare in the context of great power competition.
8. Challenges and
Limitations (1,500 words):
Identify and discuss challenges and
limitations associated with cyber operations in future warfare.
Explore issues like attribution
difficulties, ethical considerations, and the risk of unintended
escalation.
Consider potential solutions and policy
recommendations to address these challenges.
9. Conclusion (500
words):
Summarize the key findings from the essay,
emphasising the evolving and decisive nature of cyber operations in
warfare.
Revisit the central question and provide a
nuanced answer based on the analysis presented.
Offer final thoughts on the implications
of cyber operations for the future of international security and military
strategy.
