In some ways Estonia, in 2007, was the starting point where it became a topic for real global attention.

Professor Duncan Hollis of Temple Law explains the development of international cyberspace law, starting with the preliminary questions of whether and how existing international laws apply.

In the past few months, nothing has reminded everyone of the etymology of the expression “computer virus” like ransomware. This form of malicious code is delivered through a vulnerability in the victim’s system, such as a phishing email or password spraying, infiltrating and potentially crippling it like a disease.

As states give increased attention to the governance of cyberspace (the technical architecture that allows the global internet to function) and governance in cyberspace (how states, industry, and users may use this technology), the role of international law in the cyber context has gained increasing prominence.

What are the ‘rules of the road’ for cyberspace, and who sets them? The question has risen in prominence and priority as cyber threats have grown more severe. A lack of clarity about acceptable behavior enables destabilizing cyber activity.

How are threats of force conveyed in cyberspace? When hackers compromised the SolarWinds Orion software in the spring of 2020, they trojanized the so-called Sunburst backdoor, a system designed to communicate with third-party providers.

As cyber threats multiply, efforts to establish international norms for cyber activity have created a disjointed ecosystem. Is the fragmentation a cause for concern or an opportunity to promote cyber stability and security?

The G20 should commit not to manipulate the integrity of data and algorithms of financial institutions and to cooperate when such incidents occur.

An exploration of how international cyberspace norms evolve and work, and what more they could contribute to making cyberspace more hospitable.