Conflict in Cyber-Space: The Network of Cyber Incidents, 2000-2014

Despite raising fears over the use of states' cyber capabilities as a tool of foreign policy, little empirical evidence is provided about its actual diffusion. Using a newly developed dataset collecting information on cyber interactions between rival states from 2000 to 2014, I analyse the evolution of the network of cyber incidents over the considered period by the mean of a Social Network Analysis approach. Results show that the level of cohesion in the network is low and the number of countries which does not make use of cyber tactics is high. Furthermore, Russia is emerging as the major offender while the USA is the most attacked country. Finally, geography appears to be a driving factor in influencing links formation.