Cyberspace and Cybersecurity Higher Education Questions

Analyze the role of governments in regulating internet access. Should everyone have unfettered access to the internet, or should there be limits? If you propose limits, who should decide on the limits? Propose or reference specific policies for either argument. 

• If a country claims cyber sovereignty, who benefits? Who is harmed?

Why is the internet governed in such a fragmented way? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this patchwork control? How does the international reach of the internet complicate its regulation? Should there be international internet governance?

• How does the history of the internet explain its issues now? 
• How do U.S. and Chinese views on online rights differ?
• How are the demographics (age, race, socioeconomic class, place of residence) of internet users changing?
• What is the digital gender gap and what contributes to this aspect of gender inequality?

Propose some principles for an international treaty about the internet. How do those principles balance cybersecurity, data privacy, and online rights? 

Do you believe that the United States and Israel did the right thing in deploying Stuxnet to attack Iran? Why or why not? Why was the use of Stuxnet so concerning? What sorts of future attacks might it presage? 

• How are cyberweapons different from conventional weapons?
• In which types of cases should cyberattacks be considered an act of war?

Analyze current U.S. legislation regulating data privacy. Construct an argument in agreement or disagreement with the current state of data protection. How does U.S. data policy compare with European data policy? How effective do you think the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation is at protecting users’ privacy? Should the United States do more to strengthen data privacy protections? How so? What should the United States do about the regulation of data privacy amongst international organizations and companies? 

• What challenges do users face in maintaining the privacy of their data?  

Do you believe forms of cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin have a role in international finance? Why or why not? What are the challenges and opportunities for effective regulation and financial stability with the rise of cryptocurrency? What are the implications for inequality if cryptocurrency becomes a major part of international finance?