Kettemann, Matthias C. --- "‘This is not a drill’: international law and protection of cybersecurity" [2019] ELECD 37; in Wagner, Ben; Kettemann, C. Matthias; Vieth, Kilian (eds), "Research Handbook on Human Rights and Digital Technology" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2019) 113

Book Title: Research Handbook on Human Rights and Digital Technology

Editor(s): Wagner, Ben; Kettemann, C. Matthias; Vieth, Kilian

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN: 9781785367717

Section: Chapter 7

Section Title: ‘This is not a drill’: international law and protection of cybersecurity

Author(s): Kettemann, Matthias C.

Number of pages: 16

Abstract/Description:

Ransomware attacks demonstrated multiple vulnerabilities of today’s technological societies that are caused by a number of factors, including companies who fail to provide updates, secret services that stockpile vulnerabilities, and states that do not force essential service providers to ensure that their systems are stable and secure. Against this background and in light of the overwhelming importance of the Internet for states, business and society, this chapter demonstrates how cybersecurity, as a prerequisite for a reliably functioning and secure Internet, has become a global community interest which needs protection. The chapter concludes that international law fully applies to the Internet, including with regard to regulating cybersecurity, and establishes cybersecurity-related rights and obligations for different stakeholders, based, inter alia, on general principles and custom.