Cyber Conflict: Competing National Perspectives

Chapter 3French Perspectives on Cyber-conflict ¹

 

 

 

Discoursing on how a State comprehends the cybernetic dimension of a conflict amounts to asking yourself how this entity reconsiders its role and position on the international scene. Through theoretical, political and strategic reflections on cyber-conflict, cyber-war, cyber security, cyber defense, information warfare or information operations, this consists of viewing the power of this State through the lens of relatively new criteria and environments. These are different from those already known and used up until now by nations in order to secure their positions. The cybernetic dimension appeared during the second half of the 20^th Century and has forcefully established itself at the beginning of the 21^st Century, while greatly influencing political, economic and strategic decisions. Cyberspace is no longer solely the subject of economic growth or cultural development, nor even the target of crime. It has become a potential vehicle of confrontation, crisis and conflict, and a facilitator of revolts.

On the international scene, the balance of power is likely to be modified by the use of cyberspace. There is the commercial use of the space, but also the economic, political, security and military dimensions. States do not position themselves only in relation to one another via economic warfare; there are strategies for influence, soft and hard power. Intelligence is at the heart of the activities conveying this competition and ...