Democracy and Cyber Deterrence

Abstract

The chapter takes four steps to explore the relationship between democracy and cyber deterrence. First, I investigate the intellectual foundation of cyber deterrence, examine several types of deterrence strategies, and point out methodological challenges we face in analyzing cyber deterrence. Second, I show how key actors of democratic states such as voters, firms, civil groups, and NGO, often play a role in constraining the use of cyber force and how the constraints help attackers draw operational advantage. Third, I examine the strategic environment of Western and Asian democracies by investigating the tension with regimes in Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran. Lastly, I discuss how democracies in Western Europe, North America, and East Asia have responded to the threats they face.