Essay and Discussion Questions from Technology and Conflict & Warfare

Cyberspace and Cybersecurity High School Questions

Help students understand cyberspace and cybersecurity through these essay and discussion questions.

Introduction

  1. How does the history of the internet explain concerns around its usage now?  
  2. If a country claims cyber sovereignty, who benefits? Who is harmed?
  3. Why is the internet governed in such a fragmented way? What are the pluses and minuses of this patchwork control?
  4. How does the international reach of the internet complicate its regulation?  
  5. Propose some principles for an international treaty about the internet. How do those principles balance cybersecurity, data privacy, and online rights?  
  6. Should everyone have unfettered access to the internet, or should there be limits? If you propose limits, who should decide on the limits? 

Effects

  1. Why is the internet governed in such a fragmented way? What are the pluses and minuses of this patchwork control?  
  2. How does the international reach of the internet complicate its regulation?
  3. How do U.S. and Chinese views on online rights differ?  How are the demographics (age, race, socioeconomic class, place of residence) of internet users changing? 
  4. Should everyone have unfettered access to the internet, or should there be limits? Why? If you propose limits, who should decide on the limits?

Policy

  1. Why is the internet governed in such a fragmented way? What are the pluses and minuses of this patchwork control?  How does the international reach of the internet complicate its regulation?  
  2. Why was the use of Stuxnet so concerning? What sorts of future attacks might it presage? How are cyberweapons different from conventional weapons?  
  3. Propose some principles for an international treaty about the internet. How do those principles balance cybersecurity, data privacy, and online rights?  
  4. Should everyone have unfettered access to the internet, or should there be limits? If you propose limits, who should decide on the limits?  
  5. Do you believe that the United States and Israel did the right thing in employing Stuxnet to attack Iran? Why or why not?