Democratic societies need to rethink their cybersecurity policy

Democratic societies should not resort to militarization and online nationalism when it comes to cybersecurity policy, argues Isabel Skierka. In her article Cybersicherheit – wie die Politik versagt (English version) for Ethik und Militär journal’s special issue on cyberwar, Skierka shows how the ongoing militarization of the digital realm is compromising human rights, economic development and ultimately national security, which it is supposed to protect. Instead of falling back on traditional security culture, says Skierka, the primary objective of cybersecurity policy should be to maintain the fundamental pillars of freedom in cyberspace.