Global Trade and Cybersecurity

Abstract

Trade in information and communications technologies (ICTs) is a new currency of international power. On the one hand, this commerce boosts national prosperity and the global economy. On the other hand, it puts capabilities for harm into the hands of potential malicious actors or political adversaries. States are scrambling to introduce new security control mechanisms through a variety of laws, regulations, and policies. These practices will have mixed results, not least because some of the more threatening elements of the trade relate to software products and even the results of basic scientific research that cannot be tracked as easily as physical goods. Enforcement of trade restrictions in this area will remain problematic. Even so, states are looking to undertake economic sanctions in this area to retaliate for the malicious behaviour in cyberspace of other states (or of criminals operating with impunity from the territory of other states). The corporate sector has emerged as an independent actor in these interstate controversies, and they have been joined by scientists and civil society activists, all pressing for a more liberal and open approach. While the unilateralist trend seems to have the upper hand for now, common interests and the imperatives of trade may force new collaborative behaviours among states.