THE POLICY, POLITICS AND LAW OF CYBERSECURITY

POLITICAL SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

LAW

SUMMER SESSION II 2024

MONDAY – THURSDAY

Three (3) Credits

Professor Tracy Mitrano

COURSE DESCRPTION AND SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT

This course explores selected topics in the policy, politics, and law of cybersecurity. Of specific interest will be a historical understanding of the development of the internet and how that history laid the foundation for insecurity of products and internet users’ experience.  Using a four-factor approach: law, market, social norms, and technology, we will explore the domestic U.S. social and political development of the internet as well as the global landscape and its implications for international law.  Topical areas include federal government structure for cyber, information security and risk management in the corporate environment, the National Cybersecurity Strategy, national defense generally and global internet governance.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Define and scope cybersecurity. 

History of insecurity products and use of information technology resources.  

Identify three security threats: individuals; organized crime; national states.

Review legal remedies to software and security threats.

Learn about U.S. government cybersecurity organization and structure.

Discuss U.S. government defensive and offensive approaches to cyber threats.

Obtain a working command of zero-day exploits.

Balance information security and risk management in corporate organizations.

Appreciate the relationship of cybersecurity and mis/disinformation campaigns.

Formulate a cybersecurity framework national security and the global context.

TEXTBOOK:

COURSE STYLE

            This course is listed as a lecture class, but the professor will deploy a modified Socratic method.  Students should be prepared to answer questions aloud in class from the readings and accumulative knowledge developed throughout the course. Please see COURSE REQUIREMENTS below for more information.  

NOTA BENE: BOOKS!

            Several important books are available on this topic.  We will be drawing many of our readings from them. Also, in taking a 300-level course, it is pedagogically significant for you to be able to digest intellectually full-length books.  Part of the pedagogy is to learn how to skim a book for its relevant content.  The other part is how to read a book more thoroughly to analyze it.  Of the books we will be reading, one of them – your choice – will be the subject of a required book report. 

BOOK REPORT

These reviews should not be more than three (3) pages, 1-inch margins, 1.5 spacing, 12-point regular Times New Roman type.  

Every review should include these four points:

Thesis: What is the author’s main idea? 

Methodology: What methodology does the author use? 

Analysis: Does the methodology prove/present/explain the thesis? 

Conclusion: How does this book fit into the themes of this course and other course materials?

EXTRA, EXTRA, READ ALL ABOUT IT!

            The Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post have a Monday-Friday email Newsletter on Cybersecurity.  Every student should sign up for this email that comes in between 6-7am every weekday.  Many classes I will be referring to it and very likely asking questions of class members about it.  Your response is a good example of what will be included in the participation portion of grade (worth 15%). Be sure to read it Monday-Thursday and be prepared to speak about it in our classes.  Sign up for these newsletters is free.  

ASSESSMENT METHODS

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
A.  Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
B.  This is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised. There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
C.  This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
D.  This level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material. Important information is absent and irrelevant points included. In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
F.  This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY 
Attendance is required.  If for whatever reason you miss a class, you are responsible to write a 3-page summary of the readings for that day due by the next class.

Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. 

 assessments).

Timeliness is critical for the book report and final paper.  A point per minute of tardiness will be deducted from the grade.  

Extensions will not be permitted.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

Class 1: Introduction and Governance

Don’t forget to read WP and WSJ Cyber M-F Email

National Cybersecurity Strategy (https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/National-Cybersecurity-Strategy-2023.pdf)

Class 2: International Law

Don’t forget to read WP and WSJ Cyber M-F Email

Declaration of the Rights of Cyberspace (https://www.eff.org/cyberspace-independence)

Law of the Horse (https://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?referer=&httpsredir=1&article=2147&context=journal_articles)

Lessig, Code, Chapter One, and pp. 121-125 (available on the internet)

Class 3: Operations and International Law, pp. 1-14, 

“Does International Law Matter in Cyberspace?” (If not available, I will lecture on it.)

Deibert, pp. 1-29, 112-133

Class 4: Historical Background

Don’t forget to read WP and WSJ Cyber M-F Email

Deibert, pp. 29-69

Class 5: Case Studies 

Don’t forget to read WP and WSJ Cyber M-F Email

Fancy Bear, Introduction, Chapters One and Two 

Class 6: Case Studies

Don’t forget to read WP and WSJ Cyber M-F Email

Fancy Bear, Chapters Three and Four

Class 7: Case Studies 

Don’t forget to read WP and WSJ Cyber M-F Email

Fancy Bear, Chapters Five and Six

Class 8: Case Studies 

Don’t forget to read WP and WSJ Cyber M-F Email

Fancy Bear, Chapters Seven and Eight

Class 9: Case Studies 

Don’t forget to read WP and WSJ Cyber M-F Email

Fancy Bear, Chapter Nine and Ten, Conclusion and Epilogue

Class 10: Privacy and Information Security Policy

Don’t forget to read WP and WSJ Cyber M-F Email

Solove and Hartzog, Breached!  Part I

Class 11: Privacy and Information Security Policy 

Don’t forget to read WP and WSJ Cyber M-F Email

Solove and Hartzog, Breached Part II, pp. 65-128

Class 12: Privacy and Information Security Policy

Don’t forget to read WP and WSJ Cyber M-F Email

Solove and Hartzog, Breached, Part II, pp. 128-198

Class 13: Privacy and Information Security

Don’t forget to read WP and WSJ Cyber M-F Email

Review of Cornell University Information Technology Policy

Deibert, 112-133, 195-217

Class 14: Contemporary Landscape of Cybersecurity

Don’t forget to read WP and WSJ Cyber M-F Email

Fifth Domain, Part I

Class 15: Contemporary Landscape of Cybersecurity: Corporations 

Don’t forget to read WP and WSJ Cyber M-F Email

Fifth Domain, Part II

Class 16: Course Preparation for Debate

Don’t forget to read WP and WSJ Cyber M-F Email

Topic and Materials TBA

Class 17: Class Debate

Class 18: Contemporary Landscape of Cybersecurity: Government and Military 

Don’t forget to read WP and WSJ Cyber M-F Email

Fifth Domain, Part III and IV

Class 19: Contemporary Landscape of Cybersecurity: International 

Don’t forget to read WP and WSJ Cyber M-F Email

Fifth Domain, Part V and VI

Class 20: What Dreams May Come

Don’t forget to read WP and WSJ Cyber M-F Email

Deibert, 232-245

Declaration for the Future of the Internet (https://www.state.gov/declaration-for-the-future-of-the-internet)

Final Paper

A Final Paper will be due in Moodle on the date and time of the Final Exam Schedule for this course. The Final Paper should not be more than three (5) pages, 1-inch margins, 1.5 spacing, 12-point regular Times New Roman type.  It will be a synthetic rendering of what you have learned in the course based on a prompt you will be provided at the end of the semester. The best way to prepare for it is to maintain consistent attention to class, readings, lectures, etc. and take note of the connections in the materials in the course to reach a larger understanding of the politics, policy, and law of cybersecurity.