Humanizing Cyber War: A Geneva Conventions-based Framework for Cyber Warfare

Abstract

Cyber warfare has emerged as a defining threat of the 21st century, presenting unique challenges that existing international humanitarian laws, such as the Geneva Conventions, are ill-equipped to address. This paper proposes a framework equivalent to the Geneva Conventions to regulate cyber warfare, ensuring the protection of civilian life, critical infrastructure, and digital systems during armed conflicts. By adapting the principles of distinction, proportionality, necessity, and humanity to the cyber domain, this proposal outlines protocols for safeguarding critical infrastructure, civilian data, maritime and satellite networks, and prohibiting indiscriminate cyber weapons and cyber hostage-taking. Drawing from case studies, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the 2024 Israel-Hezbollah pager attack, the paper demonstrates how cyber warfare blurs the lines between combatants and civilians, amplifying the risk of collateral damage. Building on existing frameworks and academic proposals, this paper advocates for international cooperation, clear accountability mechanisms, and the establishment of humanitarian principles to govern cyber operations.