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INTRODUCTION

The emergence of technology and its steady advancement has greatly impacted aspects of individuals, business, and institutional activities. The discovery technology has been felt in different aspects of the economy one notable impact is cyberspace – "a notional environment under which communication occurs with the use of computer networks and systems." [footnoteRef:1] Cyberspace, which is as a result of the internet, an element of technology, has seen information sharing take place, millions of money being transacted over computer networks, business deals struck and much more. All these benefits of cyberspace have attracted criminal, known in the cyber world as cybercriminals, who have, and continue to negatively impact the use of the internet in a variety of creative and innovative ways. There also have been rising cases of cyber warfare between countries that have been causing major worries among global cybersecurity professionals. In an attempt to minimize and solve the issues cyber threats and cybercrimes, several studies have been conducted to discover and create ways of curbing the problem. However, a majority of these studies have failed to acknowledge that the problem has gone global.[footnoteRef:2] However, no studies have been conducted on how to settle for cyber peace by incorporating Geneva convention to creating a treaty specifically for cyberspace. Therefore, the paper will explore how to achieve peace in the cyberspace by exploring the possibilities of treaties on cyberspace by Geneva convention. [1: David Smahel and Kristian Daneback, "Editorial: Researching Bright And Dark Sides Of The Cyberspace," Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace 7, no. 3 (2013).] [2: Filippo PARODI, "The Concept Of Cybercrime And Online Threats Analysis," International Journal of Information Security and Cybercrime 2, no. 1 (2013): 59-66.]

Statement of the Problem

The growth of cyberspace due to the effect of globalization has turned cybercrime and cyber attacks to one of the major talked about concerns across the globe. Cybercrimes has evolved to become a form of terrorism with major security agencies and institutions such as Homeland Security being victims of the attack. With such agencies with an immeasurable amount of security system and responsible for the safety of people and resources being non-immune to such attacks puts enterprises and individuals at a greater risk. Consequently, cyberspace has seen countries attack each other over computer networks. The severity of the problem has proven other measures such as confronting cyber attackers ineffective thus the need to change the strategies employed to solve the problem. The worst part is that close to 74% of global business expected to be hacked each year with estimations of economic losses amounting to cybercrimes totaling to $3 trillion by the year 2020.[footnoteRef:3] [3: Aidan Courtney, "Law, Economics, And Cyberspace: The Effects Of Cyberspace On The Economic Analysis Of Law," SCRIPT-ed (2004): 505-509.]

Purpose of the Research

The proposed research study will generate relevant strategies, ideas, solutions and suggestions pertaining to cybercrimes and the Geneva convention that can be applicable in solving the problem through advocating for peace on computer networks and systems across the globe. Additionally, the project will act an informational and an educational tool that can be referenced by key players in cyberspace in assessing the severity and adversities of the problem at hand.

Objectives of the Study

The main objective of the researcher shall be to apply the Geneva convention strategies towards facilitating peace in cyberspace. The researcher shall analyze how a possibility of a treaty specifically cyberspace can facilitate peace across major nations.

THEORETICAL ORIENTATION

The Geneva convention currently consists of four treating with additional protocols (three) that create the standards for the treatment of international law for humanitarian in regard to the treatment of war. The Geneva conventions were established after the world war II where the negotiations highlighted the rights of prisoners of war times, and established protection mechanisms for the wounded and civilians found in a war-zone and around. Primarily, the Geneva convention addresses war and its effects on countries and provides guidelines and policies for the treatment of war among member countries and non-combats.[footnoteRef:4] Having been formed at around 1949, after the second world war, it does not outline or highlight the policies of the new form of war known as cyberwar that its adversities are even extending to civilians and businesses. [4: Angela Bennett, The Geneva Convention (New York: The History Press, 2013).]

As a result of this, there have been cries for an international treaty that specifically regulates cyber operations between countries. In 2007, Israel and the United States jointly developed a worm known as Stuxnet that would destroy crucial centrifuges to the nuclear program by Iran. The event redefined cyberattacks and gave it a new perception even though it was a success. The attack, which was named as an ideal example of cyberwar[footnoteRef:5] Demonstrated that such kinds of attacks were better alternative solutions where aggressive actions were not recommendable. Researchers have acknowledged that in any warfare there have to be casualties, and this form of cyber warfare introduced by the United States and Israel on Iran is no exception that if there are no measures aimed at protecting civilians, a lot of damages could happen. [5: Tamlin Magee, "Does The World Need A Geneva Convention For Cyber Warfare?", Techworld, last modified 2017, accessed December 14, 2017, https://www.techworld.com/security/does-world-need-geneva-convention-for-cyber-warfare-3656996/.]

The recent RSA conference, a group of professional security personnel across the world who converged to critically discuss cybersecurity[footnoteRef:6] Agree unanimously the growth of cybercrime and the increasing possibilities of cyber warfare worldwide calls for a digital Geneva convention. The conference acknowledged that the Fourth Geneva Convention has for a long time protected civilians during wars but since war has taken a new direction, there is the need for digital Geneva convention particular for non-state attacks in times of peace.5 Just as there are mechanisms for active involvement outlined by the fourth Geneva convention for protection of civilians such as red cross, there is also the need for mechanisms for assistance by technology companies during cyberwars. [6: Mette Eilstrup-Sangiovanni, "Why The World Needs An International Cyberwar Convention," Philosophy & Technology (2017).]

Conceptual Framework

A conceptual framework is a tool used in a research study to draw distinctions and necessitate ideas for the study. Therefore, the conceptual framework for the proposed study will be useful in drawing distinct concepts and ideas on how to employ Geneva convention in attaining cyber peace. To accomplish this, the researcher will need to separate between dependent and independent variables. An independent variable[footnoteRef:7] Is one which is manipulated by the researcher whereas a dependent variable is influenced by the independent variable. For instance, the independent variable for the study will be the digital Geneva convention on cyber warfare while the independent variable will be cyber peace. [7: Mark Chang, Principles Of Scientific Methods (Boca Raton, Fla.: CRC Press, Taylor et Francis, 2015).]

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Strategy

The researcher will adopt an applied strategy rather than a new strategy because there are a number of sources that have covered a similar area of started especially on Geneva convention but have not specified their findings to the aspect of peace. Therefore, the paper will take a form of new research by focusing on cyber peace but with existing formulae of research studies.

Research Methods

To extensively satisfy the objective of the proposed study, the researcher will employ the use of both quantitative and qualitative approaches in gathering data. Applying both approaches is advantageous to the researcher and the reliability of the results since the outcomes will adopt both comprehensive descriptions and accurate, quantifiable data in the form of statistics and numbers to meet the standards of a scientific research study. [footnoteRef:8] [8: "Methodology Of Science And General-Scientific Methods Of Research," European Researcher 105, no. 4 (2016).]

Data Collection Method and Tools

The researcher will use an interviewing method aside from reviewing records, figures, statistics, and reports on the same. The interview method will be adopted to identify emotions, ideas, thoughts, and opinions of the participants during data gathering process. The tool that will be used to collect data will include a structured questionnaire. The researcher will use a structured questionnaire to avoid respondent deviating7 from the point of discussion. Also, the researcher will ask additional questions other than the ones included in the questionnaire to get additional contributions of the participants.

Sample Selection and the Research Process

The sample selection method for the proposed research will be the purposive method where the examiner will develop a sample for the research. The purposive sample selection method is a technique under the non-probability sampling methods where samples are selected from a population on the basis of their knowledge, experiences, and relationships with the subject matter under study.6 The research process will involve the examiner engaging the participants in informed consent before subjecting them to the questionnaire. The interviewing process is planned to last between 10 to 15 minutes, and the participants will have the freedom to express their thoughts, opinions, ideas, and so on as it pertains to the subject matter under investigation.

Bibliography

Bennett, Angela. The Geneva Convention. New York: The History Press, 2013.

Chang, Mark. Principles Of Scientific Methods. Boca Raton, Fla.: CRC Press, Taylor et Francis, 2015.

Courtney, Aidan. "Law, Economics And Cyberspace: The Effects Of Cyberspace On The Economic Analysis Of Law." SCRIPT-ed (2004): 505-509.

Eilstrup-Sangiovanni, Mette. "Why The World Needs An International Cyberwar Convention." Philosophy & Technology (2017).

Magee, Tamlin. "Does The World Need A Geneva Convention For Cyber Warfare?". Techworld. Last modified 2017. Accessed December 14, 2017. https://www.techworld.com/security/does-world-need-geneva-convention-for-cyber-warfare-3656996/.

"Methodology Of Science And General-Scientific Methods Of Research." European Researcher 105, no. 4 (2016).

PARODI, Filippo. "The Concept Of Cybercrime And Online Threats Analysis." International Journal of Information Security and Cybercrime 2, no. 1 (2013): 59-66.

Smahel, David, and Kristian Daneback. "Editorial: Researching Bright And Dark Sides Of The Cyberspace." Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace 7, no. 3 (2013).