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Accountability and cyber conflict: examining institutional constraints on the use of cyber proxies

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  • William Akoto

Abstract

As state-sponsored cyber operations have proliferated, some states are outsourcing these operations to non-state cyber proxies. However, given the relative ease of outsourcing cyber operations, it is puzzling why more states are not engaged in this practice. I examine how domestic accountability institutions potentially explain this restraint in the use of cyber proxies. I argue that in cases where the incumbent is likely to be held to account for cyber operations, there is restraint in the use of proxies. Moreover, I distinguish vertical from horizontal accountability and argue that because vertical accountability mechanisms directly threaten the tenure of the incumbent if outsourced cyber operations go wrong, it has a greater constraining effect relative to horizontal accountability. I test these propositions with new data on the activities of several hacker groups and robustly confirm that accountability institutions do place significant constraints on the use of cyber proxies.

Suggested Citation

  • William Akoto, 2022. "Accountability and cyber conflict: examining institutional constraints on the use of cyber proxies," Conflict Management and Peace Science, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 39(3), pages 311-332, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:compsc:v:39:y:2022:i:3:p:311-332
    DOI: 10.1177/07388942211051264
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. William Akoto, 2013. "Debt Relief under the HIPC Initiative: Why Some Countries Complete the Programme Faster Than Others," Working Papers 346, Economic Research Southern Africa.
    6. Lührmann, Anna & Marquardt, Kyle L. & Mechkova, Valeriya, 2020. "Constraining Governments: New Indices of Vertical, Horizontal, and Diagonal Accountability," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 114(3), pages 811-820, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Justin Key Canfil, 2024. "Until consensus: Introducing the International Cyber Expression dataset," Journal of Peace Research, Peace Research Institute Oslo, vol. 61(1), pages 150-159, January.

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