Cyber and Information Operations

This theme examines the impact of cyber and information operations in armed conflicts, addressing risks to civilians, the application of international humanitarian law to cyber activities, and the need for safeguards to mitigate harm in the digital domain.

From hackers to tech companies: IHL and the involvement of civilians in ICT activities in armed conflict

November 4, 2025 10 mins read Accountability / Analysis / Communications / Conduct of Hostilities / Generating Respect for IHL / IHL / Law and Conflict / New Technologies / Scope of application Tilman Rodenhäuser, Samit D’Cunha, Laurent Gisel, Anna Rosalie Greipl & Marco Roscini

Picture a potential future armed conflict: missiles and drones crowding the skies, uncrewed vehicles rolling ...

International humanitarian law and connectivity disruptions during armed conflict

July 3, 2025 13 mins read Access / Analysis / Communications / Conduct of Hostilities / Health Care / Health care / Humanitarian Action / IHL / New Technologies / Related bodies of law / Social Protection Tilman Rodenhäuser

“Without information and telecommunication, people don’t know where to go for safety,” the ICRC reported ...

Offline and in danger: the humanitarian consequences of connectivity disruptions

July 1, 2025 11 mins read Access / Analysis / Communications / New Technologies / Social Protection Cléa Thouin

As people around the world become increasingly reliant on digital and telecommunications networks to access ...

A steppingstone for more? Progress on the protection of civilian populations from ICT activities during armed conflict

February 13, 2025 11 mins read Analysis / Communications / Conduct of Hostilities / Generating Respect for IHL / New Technologies / Technology in Humanitarian Action Laurent Gisel & Tilman Rodenhäuser

In today’s multilateral disarmament, peace and security, and humanitarian fora, a key responsibility of states ...

Foghorns of war: IHL and information operations during armed conflict

October 12, 2023 11 mins read Analysis / Communications / Humanitarian Action / IHL / Technology in Humanitarian Action Tilman Rodenhäuser & Samit D’Cunha

“In war, truth is the first casualty” is perhaps one of the best known aphorisms ...

What we don’t understand about digital risks in armed conflict and what to do about it

July 27, 2023 15 mins read Analysis / Artificial Intelligence and Armed Conflict / Cyber / Humanitarian Action / New Technologies / Technology in Humanitarian Action Joelle Rizk & Sean Cordey

The deployment and use of new digital technologies in modern conflicts – from information to ...

Towards common understandings: the application of established IHL principles to cyber operations

March 7, 2023 9 mins read Analysis / Avoiding civilian harm during military cyber operations / Human Costs of Cyber / Law and Conflict / New Technologies Kubo Mačák & Tilman Rodenhäuser

Cyber operations have become a reality of today’s armed conflicts, and their use is likely ...

‘Back to basics’ with a digital twist: humanitarian principles and dilemmas in the digital age

February 2, 2023 14 mins read Analysis / Humanitarian Action / Humanitarian Principles / Humanitarian principles in contemporary armed conflict / New Technologies Pierrick Devidal

The digital transformation has been a key vector of progress for the humanitarian sector. It ...

Towards a ‘digital emblem’? Five questions on law, tech, and policy

November 3, 2022 10 mins read Analysis / Humanitarian Action / Law and Conflict / New Technologies Tilman Rodenhäuser & Mauro Vignati

Doctors who provide care for the war wounded and ICRC delegates who work in areas ...

Assessing the risks of civilian harm from military cyber operations during armed conflicts

June 22, 2021 10 mins read Analysis / Avoiding civilian harm during military cyber operations / Humanitarian Action / New Technologies Ellie Shami

How can countries at war assess the potential harm that cyber operations may cause to ...

Stepping into the breach: military responses to global cyber insecurity

June 17, 2021 11 mins read Analysis / Avoiding civilian harm during military cyber operations / Humanitarian Action / Law and Conflict / New Technologies Noëlle van der Waag-Cowling

As the global geo-political landscape continues to experience increasing fragmentation, cyberspace grows in importance as ...

Avoiding civilian harm during military cyber operations: six key takeaways

June 15, 2021 11 mins read Analysis / Avoiding civilian harm during military cyber operations / Humanitarian Action / Law and Conflict / New Technologies / Religion Kubo Mačák & Ewan Lawson

In today’s armed conflicts, cyber operations are increasingly used in support of and alongside kinetic ...