Exploring Cyberspace and the Grey Zone: Insights from Multistakeholder Perspectives

Abstract

Cyber operations link the virtual and physical worlds, involving diverse stakeholders, including civilians, governments, academics, and the military. This research addresses gaps in understanding cyberspace and the grey zone, which is conventionally seen as the area between peacetime and wartime with legal to illegal behaviour, and implications on attack and defence strategies through insights gained from conferences and workshops. An observational study of the various stakeholder communities was undertaken from seven events spanning academia, government. Community perspectives were surfaced using onsite observation, note taking for the presentation sessions and keynotes, with the Computer-Assisted Qualitative Data Analysis Software (CAQDAS) used to conduct data analysis and to develop new insights. The themes identified include current dynamics (The horizon), preparation (On the horizon), next steps (Over the horizon), and audience interactions (In the room). These observations provide a nuanced understanding of contemporary cyber conflict and strategic approaches to cybersecurity.