Armed hostilities: addressing the evolving policies, regulations and challenges of information warfare

In today’s rapidly advancing world, armed hostilities have taken on a new dimension with the emergence of information warfare. This conceptual paper examines the evolving landscape of IW through a normative legal lens. It argues that with technological advancements, information warfare has become a prominent tool in modern conflict, creating additional challenges to the unity and security of nations. Through a normative research method, the paper examines existing policies and regulations governing information warfare and emphasizes the necessity of adhering to the principles of necessity and proportionality, as applied to other forms of military conflict under the Law of Armed Conflicts. Against this backdrop, the paper investigates the issues associated with information warfare. It unveils that as technology continues to advance, so do the challenges and risks linked to information warfare. Therefore, it is crucial for authorities and agencies to establish comprehensive guidelines and policies capable of addressing these emerging threats. Ultimately, the paper concludes that there is a pressing need to educate and train individuals on cyber warfare in order to raise awareness, prevent, and respond to potential cyber-attacks. By implementing these measures, governments and organizations can create a secure and resilient environment in the face of information warfare.