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While the deterrence of cyber attacks is one of the most important issues facing the United States and other nations, the application of deterrence theory to the cyber realm is problematic. This study introduces cyber warfare and reviews the challenges associated with deterring cyber attacks, offering key recommendations to aid the deterrence of major cyber attacks.

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1. Introduction 2. Cyberspace and Cyber Warfare 3. Deterrence Theory and the Challenge of Applying It to Cyber Warfare 4. Chapter Four: Cultivating Beneficial Norms for Strategic Stability 5. Continuing Efforts to Improve Cyber Forensics and Bolster Defences 6. Developing a Declaratory Policy and Offensive Cyber Weapons 7. Conclusions

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Brian M. Mazanec, PhD, is an Adjunct Professor at George Mason University and a senior defence analyst with the U.S. government. Brian´s academic research has been published in numerous journals, presented at international conferences, and used as part of the curriculum in the United States Army War College´s Department of Military Strategy, Planning and Operations.

Bradley A. Thayer, PhD, is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Iceland. His research encompasses a broad range of professional interests in the fields of International Relations Theory and International Security.

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