OAGR 2115 - International Security & Cyberspace

In a very short time, individuals and companies have harnessed cyberspace to create new industries, a vibrant social space, and a new economic sphere that are Intertwined with our everyday lives. At the same time, individuals, subnational groups, and governments are using cyberspace to advance interests through malicious activity. Terrorists recruit, train, and target through the Internet, hackers steal data, and intelligence services conduct espionage. Still, the vast majority of cyberspace is a civilian space used by individuals, businesses, and governments for legitimate purposes. International Security and cyberspace examine current and future threats to cyberspace, various approaches to advance and defend national interests, and contrasts the African approach with, European, Russian, Chinese and US approaches in cyberspace.

Students are cast as participants of the policymaking process, in most cases as a trusted member of the NSC reporting to the President or National Security Advisor, where they are required to devise strategies and write “Strategic Options Memos.” Strategic Options Memos combine careful analysis and strategic imagination, on the one hand, with the necessity to communicate to major constituencies to sustain public support, on the other. Students will write three, three-page memos.

Learning Outcomes

Participants' will:

1. Analyze challenges in cyberspace

2. Think strategically about cyber challenges

3. Contrast Nigerian, Kenyan and South African approaches in cyberspace with other cyber powers

4. Communicate analyses of issues in Strategic Options Memos; operate within current national security policymaking processes surrounded by an intrusive, inquiring press

5. Appreciate the complexities of communicating national security policies to multiple audience

Professional Skills

Strategic Thinking

Strategic Communication Skills: Writing Strategic Option Memos

Strategic Imagination

Ada OBANUA PETER

Séminaire

English

- In Class Presence: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester

- Online learning activities: 1hr:10 mins a week / 14 hours a semester

- Reading and Preparation for Class: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester

- Research and Strategic Option Memo Writing for Individual Assessments: 4 hours every four weeks / 12 hours a semester

Suitable for Graduate students.

Autumn 2022-2023

(i) – Six Biweekly take home assignments: 15%

(ii) – Three – three paged Strategic Option Memos – Every Four weeks, The cases are created based real cyber events: Memo 1 – (Case of Microsoft Exchange Server Data Breach)

Memo 2 – Cyberpower and Interstate Rivalry 25%

25%

Final Exam Memo (Case of Log4Shell) - 30%

(iii) - Students are expected to contribute to class discussions and attend all classes. Class participation: 5%

There is a grading rubric for each SOM and feedbacks for the SOM and the biweekly assignments will be due two weeks after submission.