An evaluation of cyber diplomacy against the threat of cyber crime: The case of the US prism programme leak

Abstract

The field of diplomacy and that of international peace and security are twin fields in constant flux and turmoil because of the latent dynamisms underlying the activities which make them worthwhile. Existing and emerging threats have necessitated numerous contributions towards a fuller understanding of these fields such that a lot of confusion too has emerged particularly in relation to the newer trends. One such trend is that of cyber diplomacy which has overtaken the traditional rules of etiquette of old diplomatic protocol which was largely limited to states and official state representatives. Cyber diplomacy, on the other hand, is characterised by a peculiar private society dimension, that novel encapsulation in information interchange through computer systems with the private spheres of national and foreign publics thereby causing a rapid decentralisation of certain information functions to the generality of civilians. Admittedly, cyber diplomacy has skated on the tide of globalisation-a staunch force reputed to have carpet-rolled and receded state borders and influence coupled with increasing porosity at international interfaces. Yet this has not been the final nail because increasingly complex cyber diplomacy has been attended with increasingly sophisticated cyber or computer crime which has posed unprecedented threats to the peace and security of states, private organisations and individuals. It was therefore the imperative chief focus of this paper to take time to study the nexus between cyber diplomacy and cyber crime and to draw applicable theoretical underpinnings from it. Much of the hubris for the research was obtained through content and thematic analysis of existing documents and purposive/judgmental techniques. This research concluded that there is an unmistakable connection between cyber diplomacy and cyber crime and also that cyber crime is rising as global communication network connectivity increases.