With the recent uncovering of an attempted cyber-operation targeting the Organisation for the Prohibition on Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague, cyber security continues to dominate the security agenda. But what is cyber security? Are we headed towards cyber war? And who are involved in these cyber-attacks?

All of these questions and more were answered during one of the sessions of the Course on International Politics (CIP) organised by Clingendael Academy. The session was led by Sergei Boeke, researcher at Leiden University’s Institute of Security and Global Affairs and research fellow at the International Centre for Counter Terrorism (ICCT).

Sergei Boeke raised the important question whether cyber-operations by states can be considered an act of war. Generally, this is not the case. However, as the capacity of states to perform cyber-operations increases  and the destructive potential of these operations  increases as well, and the line between espionage and cyber-attacks can become increasingly blurred.

This session on cyber security is part of the thematic module on international security. During the span of the course, participants will discuss a variety of other themes such as trends in the international system, energy and climate, international economic developments, and the European Union.

Are you interested in participating in the Course on International Politics? Keep an eye on the course page for new course dates in 2019.