Course overview
The primary aim of this course is to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic relationship between cyber power, strategy and diplomacy in contemporary contexts. Students will learn cyber power and its implications on national and international security, including the use of cyber capabilities as instruments of national power and their impact on geopolitics and global stability, examining how states and other actors develop and implement policies and frameworks to manage cyber threats and promote cyber security cooperation, delving into the ethical challenges of cyber security, addressing issues like privacy, civil liberties, and the use of offensive cyber operations within the context of international law and norms. By exploring the intersection of cyber security, strategy and diplomacy, students will develop skills and knowledge that allow them to apply effective cyber security strategies to real-world problems, and understand the policy, operational and ethical challenges that result from increasing advances in technology.
Course learning outcomes
- Understanding Cyber Power by analysing its concept and implications for national security and evaluating the role of cyber capabilities in shaping strategic objectives and diplomatic engagements
- Developing cyber security strategies by exploring methodologies tailored to diverse organisational needs and applying strategic frameworks to mitigate cyber threats and vulnerabilities in real-world scenarios
- Navigating Ethical Challenges by examining the ethical considerations inherent in cyber security practices and policy formulation and critically assessing the implications of cyber operations on individual rights
- Engaging in Cyber Diplomacy by investigating the role of diplomacy in managing cyber conflicts and promoting stakeholder cooperation while also developing the negotiation and diplomatic skills necessary for resolving cyber-related disputes