From Cyberwar to Cyberpeace

The encompassing trend of digitalization and widespread dependencies on IT systems triggers adjustments even in the military forces. Besides necessary enhancements of IT security and defensive measures for cyberspace, a growing number of states are establishing offensive military capabilities for this domain. Looking back on historical developments and transformations due to advancements in military technologies, the chapter discusses the political progress that has been made and tools that have been developed since. Both of these have contributed to handling challenges and confining threats to international security. With this background, the text assesses a possible application of these efforts to developments concerning cyberspace, as well as obstacles that need to be tackled for it to be successful. The chapter points out political advancements already in progress, the role of social initiatives, such as the cyberpeace campaign of the Forum InformatikerInnen für Frieden und gesellschaftliche Verantwortung (forum of computer scientists for peace and societal responsibility), and potential consequences of the rising probability of a cyberwar regarding the prospects of cyberpeace.