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Cyber Warfare

Code: TBD · Credits: 4 · Hours: 60 · Type: ELECTIVE

Cyber warfare studies the use of computational power as an instrument of state and non-state conflict. The elective combines technical case-study analysis with international law, doctrine, and policy — covering the spectrum from espionage and sabotage to information operations and the legal grey zones around active defence.

Key topics​

  • State actors, doctrine, and attribution: technical, geopolitical, and legal layers.
  • Cyber operations as part of military doctrine — Estonia 2007, Georgia 2008, Ukraine 2014/2022.
  • Critical infrastructure attacks: Stuxnet, BlackEnergy/Industroyer, NotPetya, Colonial Pipeline, SolarWinds.
  • Influence operations, deepfakes, election interference.
  • International law: Tallinn Manual 2.0, Geneva-era applicability to cyberspace.
  • Deterrence, escalation ladders, and confidence-building measures.
  • South-Asia regional posture and Nepal's positioning.

Learning outcomes​

By the end of this subject, a student should be able to:

  • Describe the actors, motivations, and tradecraft in a real cyber-conflict incident.
  • Explain the limits of attribution and what kinds of evidence are admissible.
  • Apply the Tallinn Manual framework to a hypothetical operation.
  • Discuss Nepal-specific exposure (NPIX, NEA, NRB, government networks).

Further reading​

  • Tallinn Manual 2.0 on the International Law Applicable to Cyber Operations.
  • T. Rid, Cyber War Will Not Take Place + Active Measures.
  • Healey, A Fierce Domain: Conflict in Cyberspace.
  • Sanger, The Perfect Weapon.
Chapter notes

Detailed chapter-by-chapter notes for this subject are still being written. The topic outline above mirrors the published syllabus. If you'd like to help draft a chapter, see the contributing guide.

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