About the book
As States increasingly engage in cyber activities, questions about the application of international law to such conduct have gained prominence. While there is general agreement that international law applies in the cyber context, views diverge as to how specific rules and principles apply. Many States have contributed to the debate by issuing national positions: official statements outlining their legal views on key aspects of international law in the cyber context.
This Handbook provides practical guidance for States developing or reviewing their national positions. It draws on insights from 46 States that participated in regional roundtables held in Addis Ababa, Singapore, and Washington, DC in 2024, alongside original research conducted for this project. The Handbook explores key motivations, procedural steps, substantive legal issues, and effective presentation strategies, offering a structured approach that States can adopt at different stages of the process.
By outlining existing practices, shared challenges, and strategic considerations, it offers a key resource to governments, legal practitioners, and policymakers navigating the application of international law in the cyber context. The Handbook also includes a concise two-page checklist that outlines key steps and best practices.
About the project
This Handbook is the product of a collaborative project led by a consortium of institutions comprising the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, and the University of Exeter. The project has also benefitted from the support of partner institutions including the African Union, the Organization of American States, the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, the Centre for International Law, National University of Singapore, and the Tallinn University of Technology.
Inquiries
For questions about the project or to request a physical copy of the Handbook, please contact Handbook@ccdcoe.org.
Related resources
Events
Handbook launch at side-event of the 11th substantive session of the UN OEWG on 8 July 2025
Press & Media
CCDCOE: New crucial guidance empowers states to develop legal positions on cyber operations