Briefing Paper Overview Assessment 3

Assessment 3
– Briefing Paper Overview

The aim of ‘Assessment 3 – Briefing Paper’ is for you to critically evaluate existing Australian law and international law in relation to cyber terrorism and international cyber warfare, and through this to demonstrate an advanced body of knowledge related to cyber terrorism and international warfare. Additionally, your briefing paper will allow you to practice communication skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, draw conclusions as you effectively communicate to non-specialist audiences. This assessment requires an individual written task equivalent to 2,000 words (+/- 10%) and aligns to Subject Intended Learning Outcomes (SILOs):
1. Critique the efficacy of current Australian legal provisions and international law in the face of cyber-terrorism and international cyber warfare.
2. Critically evaluate the potential for international treaties to limit the risks from cyber-terrorism and cyber-attacks during international warfare.

Premise of Briefing Paper:

You are asked by the Commander to give targeting law advice in relation to a planned cyber operation. The malware will be conveyed to the target computerized control system through the website to which the control system is linked. The malware may however infect any computer used to access that website. Once planted in the targeted control system, the malware is designed to cause the enemy’s main crude oil pipeline to become over-pressurised and thus to fracture at Oblod village at a location in the middle of a renowned sanctuary for endangered seabirds. The slick will spread for some square miles across the swampland and experts say it will take months to clear up. The water supply for the villagers will be polluted to such an extent as to be unusable. The purpose of the cyber operation is to interrupt the supply of oil through the pipeline to military vehicles at a forward operating base. The commander wants reasoned advice to know whether the attack would be lawful from a targeting law perspective. After giving your advice, you have been asked by the Department of Defence to prepare a briefing paper for the Minister to take to cabinet that include the advice, but which also reflects on this advice by:
1) Providing a critique of the efficacy of the international law you have considered,

2) Critically evaluating the potential for international treaties to limit the risk from cyber-attacks during international warfare.