Date of Award

8-1-2013

Document Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Organizational Unit

Josef Korbel School of International Studies

First Advisor

Paul R. Viotti, Ph.D.

Second Advisor

Lewis K. Griffith

Third Advisor

Benjamin P. Gochman

Fourth Advisor

Joseph S. Szyliowicz

Fifth Advisor

Maria D. Cruz

Keywords

Critical infrastructure protection, Cyber deterrence, Cybersecurity, Deterrence, Homeland defense, Homeland security

Abstract

The growing trend of computer network attacks provokes the necessity for a comprehensive cyber deterrence strategy to deter aggressors from attacking U.S. critical infrastructure. The current U.S. cyber deterrence strategy based on punishment is ineffective in deterring aggressors as evidenced by the increasing number of computer network attacks against U.S. critical infrastructure. Therefore, the U.S. should look towards an alternative strategy based on robustness to deny enemy objectives and absorb attacks. To identify the superior cyber deterrence strategy, this study uses a qualitative assessment based on open-sourced information to evaluate the effectiveness of each strategy. The findings of this study show that a deterrence strategy centered on robustness can be more effective in deterring aggressors. As a result, the United States would be better served to reform its cyber deterrence strategy by establishing a capability to absorb computer network attacks and deny enemy objectives as a deterrent.

Publication Statement

Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.

Rights Holder

Eric M. DeCampos

Provenance

Received from ProQuest

File Format

application/pdf

Language

en

File Size

96 p.

Discipline

International relations, Political Science

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