The application of the law of armed conflict proportionality to cyber attacks

The nature of wars has begun to change, and conventional weapons have started to be replaced by more technological means and methods of war with the advent of technology. In this respect, individuals, groups or states that are subject to the Law of Armed Conflict may cause death or injury of persons or damage or destruction of objects via cyber attacks they carry out through a computer or computer network. Even though cyber attacks are not regulated by any international agreement, it is of great importance that these attacks must be carried out within certain rules by considering the objectives of the Armed Conflict Law as protecting civilians and conducting war within certain rules. This study consists of three chapters. In the first chapter, the regulation of new technologies in the context of the Law of Armed Conflict is questioned and certain concepts are tried to be clarified by touching upon some important discussions. In the second chapter, the problem of the application of Law of International Armed Conflict and Law of Non-International Armed Conflict to cyber attacks is discussed. In the last chapter, the application of the principle of proportionality, which is among one of the most important principles of the Law of Armed Conflict, to cyber attacks is examined.