Topic: Militarization of the Internet
Country: Cuba
Delegate Name: Lexie Hermosura
School: Mattawan High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All Cuba position papers GLIMUN 2013 committees
The ever evolving tool that is the internet has been beneficial to personal communication, commerce, and many other aspects of life; however, the problem of internet militarization is the cost of such progressive technology. Anonymity behind cyber attacks is easily attainable, and nations, such as the United States and Israel, have been linked to the Stuxnet virus that target Iran’s nuclear facilities. Also, the United Nations has yet to determine an all-inclusive definition of cyber warfare.
Overhanging threats of nations, private groups, and even individuals utilizing viruses that could possibly cripple the infrastructure of a state are very evident to the delegation of Cuba. Cyberpowers are everywhere, which leaves Cuba in a defensive position. Our nation feels provoked to have protection against hacker attacks that could originate from anywhere in the world. The “I love you” virus was generated on a cheap laptop in a wooden home in the Philippines, which provides evidence that cyberpowers do exist everywhere. The Republic of Cuba is constantly being targeted by countries like the United States, who sent Alan Gross to debilitate our infrastructure.
With that, the delegation of Cuba would look favorably upon working with the delegations of China and Bolivia to strengthen cyber security measures, and prepare for any hacker attacks. The UN should acknowledge that the militarization of the internet has been an ongoing problem and should be recognized as a “use of force,” simply because of the damage it can cause to a nation. However, with anonymity being another issue stemming from these cyber attacks, each nation should rely upon its national sovereignty to protect themselves as they see fit.
