Cyberpower as a Coercive Instrument

This thesis aims to help bridge the gap between existing knowledge of cyberspace and the practical use of cyberpower as a coercive instrument. This knowledge will assist leaders at all levels to properly integrate cyberpower into a well-crafted strategy. This analysis demonstrates that although cyberpower has potential as an effective coercive instrument, it requires further evolution to be a persistent and powerful force by itself. This study examined the details of nine separate cyber attacks against the United States, Estonia, and Georgia. Cyberpower failed to deter or compel in the cases examined. The research question of this study is, Can cyberpower coerce adversarial states and non-state actors? This study concludes that used alone, cyberpower has yet to show coercive ability. Used in a combined campaign with other instruments, it also has yet to prove its coercive ability. However, cyberpower can be effective in brute force actions, both alone and when combined with other instruments.