The burden of dumbing cyberwar down. On the role of sociotechnical foldings in the fabric of security
(2014) International Studies Association (ISA)’s 55th Annual Convention — Location: Toronto, Canada (26.March.2014)
Files
No attached file found for this publication.
Details
- Authors
Bellanova, Rocco 
- Abstract
- This contribution analyzes some mechanisms currently devised to cope with the perceived differences introduced by the cyber. The cyber is often represented as a standard to be attained, a high-tech ‘there’ to be reached from a quite obsolete ‘here’ via the upgrade of competences, tools and concepts. But what can we learn when we shift our attention towards other ways to cope with the cyber? In this paper, we focus on the challenges and strategies of dumbing cyberwar down, on the efforts to translate the cyber into a more “manageable” practice, “to move (…) to a future where cyber is a capability like other weapons capabilities” – in the words of the DARPA director. In particular, we study the design of platforms and programs that aim at mediating between what operators and commandants already manage and control (the here), and the specific features and competences associated to the cyber (the there). We define these copying practices socio-technical foldings, and we critically assess both their explicit promise of more efficient and linear security practices, and the specific way in which they tack(le) diverse elements into a unique - but still familiar – fabric.
- Affiliations
Citations
Duez, D., Biaumet, G., & Bellanova, R. (2014). The burden of dumbing cyberwar down. On the role of sociotechnical foldings in the fabric of security. International Studies Association (ISA)’s 55th Annual Convention, Toronto, Canada. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/194941