Law, Policy, and Politics of Cybersecurity
This course explores selected topics in the law, policy, and politics of cybersecurity. Of specific interest will be a historical understanding of the development of the internet and how that history laid the foundation for the insecurity of products, services, and internet users’ experience. Using a four-factor approach: law, market, social norms, and technology, we will explore the global landscape and its implications for situating cybersecurity in international law and global internet governance. The focus of the course will be on the United States, however, and will include topics such as the federal government’s approach to cybersecurity, the National Cybersecurity Strategy, information security and risk management, types of cyberattacks and case studies, national defense generally and global internet governance.
Topics
- Define and scope cybersecurity and the history of insecurity products and use of information technology resources.
- Identify three security threats: individuals; organized crime; national states.
- Review legal remedies to software and security threats.
- Describe U.S. government cybersecurity organization and structure.
- Discuss U.S. government defensive and offensive approaches to cyber threats.
- Demonstrate a working command of zero-day exploits.
- Explain the balance of information security and risk management in corporate organizations.
- Define the relationship of cybersecurity and mis/disinformation campaigns.
- Formulate a cybersecurity framework for national security and the global context.
Official roster learning outcomes
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027