Theoretical framework of international relations and analysis of the cyber security concept

One of the new threats which became evident after the Cold War such as global terrorism and micro nationalism has been cyber threats to the security of the state and society over cyber space, which is described as the fifth operation domain after land, air, sea and space operations domains. The widespread use of the internet in the world and the fact that the internet has destroyed the traditional border perception of the past have also caused significant increases in the interest shown in the cyber space, which includes the internet and critical infrastructures such as electricity, water, transportation, and energy. In this process, although the states continue being the main actors; actors such as non-governmental organizations, crime networks and multinational companies started standing out; thus perception of actors examined in the International Relations discipline have changed. It became a must for the public and private sector to improve their cyber security skills as the mentioned actors caused new threats to security by using the internet and related systems. In this respect, the aim of this study is to explain the facts such as cybercrime, cyber attacks, cyber warfare and cyber terrorism, which pose a threat to cyber security, and to reveal its distinctive aspects and what it takes to create an effective cyber security. In addition, it is attempted to measure the preferability of cyber attacks and cyber warfare that show asymmetric features as a new intervention method instead of conventional attacks or to support them in certain situations. In this respect, the features of cyber warfare have been examined comparatively with conventional war methods; the preferability of cyber warfare has been questioned through outcomes such as impact, extent, cost, attribution and responsibility over case studies. It is important to determine which actor possesses how much cyber power in cyber space, in terms of attack-defense balance. Measuring the conventional capacities of states has realistic results; measuring cyber capacities becomes difficult due to the different inputs taken into account. Another aim of the study is to ensure that this measurement is performed in the most realistic way. In addition, it is aimed to reveal how the concept of cyber security transforms the discipline of International Relations as a whole through classical theories and approaches. In this respect, it is aimed to reveal the similar and differentiating aspects of the concept of cyber security, which can be examined within the discipline of International Relations.