A methodology for cyber operations targeting and control of collateral damage in the context of lawful armed conflict
Throughout history, the law of warfare has evolved to protect non-combatants and limit collateral damage. The same legal and ethical constraints apply to the conduct of cyber warfare, where it is similarly desirable to limit the effects of offensive actions to specific locations and groups. However, conventional wisdom suggests that this is extremely difficult, if not impossible to accomplish in the cyber domain. In this paper, we argue to the contrary. It is possible to constrain the effects of cyber actions to specifically desired, legitimate targets while significantly limiting collateral damage and injury to non-combatants. To this end we present a generalized methodology for analysis of the targeting and effects of cyber operations with respect to principles of lawful conduct in armed conflict. This methodology includes a framework of effects categories, target attributes and control measures to direct and constrain cyber operations. It also includes a process for evaluating these effects and controls against the principles for lawful conduct in armed conflict. We illustrate the methodology in action by applying it to W32.Stuxnet, software widely considered to be a cyber weapon. Our results indicate that it is entirely possible to analyze complex cyber war problems, identify legally authorized courses of action, and focus effects on desired targets while greatly minimizing collateral damage.
Wired Warfare: Computer Network Attack and the Jus in Bello
This chapter examines the application of the jus in bello, or international humanitarian law (IHL), to information operations, specifically computer network attacks (CNA). Discussion centres on the use of CNA in the context of an international armed conflict, although the conclusions would apply equally to a non-international armed conflict for those customary rules of IHL which extend into that form of conflict. It begins by addressing the threshold issue of whether IHL applies at all to CNA. Concluding it does, the chapter goes on to explore the key aspects of IHL relevant to CNA operations, especially the rules which prohibit the use of indiscriminate weapons and those governing targeting. Of particular note is the discussion of the notion of “attack” in the CNA context. Ultimately, it is concluded that CNA presents a particular problem for application of the traditional IHL.
High-Performance Liquid Chromatographic (HPLC) and HPLC-Mass Spectrometric (MS) Analysis of the Degradation of the Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Hormone (LH-RH) Antagonist RS-26306 in Aqueous Solution
The kinetics of the degradation of an LH-RH antagonist, RS-26306,1, in aqueous solution from pH 1 to pH 11 were studied by reverse-phase HPLC. The pH–rate profiles at 50, 60, and 80°C were U-shaped with the rate law of kobs = kHaH + kw + kOHaOH. The predicted 25°C shelf life at the pH of maximum stability, pH ∼5, is greater than 10 years. The products from the degradation were analyzed by HPLC-MS using thermospray ionization. Below pH 3, the primary product, 2, forms from the acid-catalyzed deamidation of the C-terminal amide. Above pH 7, epimerization of the individual amino acids is the principal reaction. Between pH 4 and pH 6, intramolecular serine-catalyzed peptide hydrolysis becomes important, yielding a tripeptide, 3, and a heptapeptide, 4. At the pH of maximum stability all three pathways for degradation are observed.