Technological and scientific advances, especially the rapid evolution of information technology (IT), play a crucial role regarding questions of peace and security. This textbook addresses the significance and potential of IT, as well as the challenges it poses, with regard to peace and security. It begins with an introduction to peace, conflict, and security research, especially focusing on natural science, technical and computer science perspectives. In the following sections, it sheds light on cyber conflicts, war and peace, cyber arms control, cyber attribution and infrastructures, as well as culture and interaction, before offering an outlook on the future.
Content- Introduction to Natural-Science/Technical Peace Research and IT Perspectives of Peace, Conflict, and Security Research- Cyber War, Espionage, Defence, Darknets, Critical Infrastructures, Cultural Violence- Cyber Peace, Dual-Use, Confidence and Security Building Measures, Arms Control, Unmanned Systems, Verification, Attribution
Target Audience- Textbook for students of Computer Science, IT Security, Peace and Conflict Studies, and Political Science- Handbook for scientists, IT developers, and political advisors

The Editor

Christian Reuter, Ph.D., is a Professor of Science and Technology for Peace and Security (PEASEC) at the Department of Computer Science, with a secondary appointment at the Department History and Social Sciences, Technische Universitt (TU) Darmstadt. He has authored more than 150 publications on interactive and collaborative technologies in the context of crises, security, safety, and peace.

This book offers an introduction to Information Technology with regard to peace, conflict, and security research, a topic that it approaches from natural science, technical and computer science perspectives. Following an initial review of the fundamental roles of IT in connection with peace, conflict and security, the contributing authors address the rise of cyber conflicts via information warfare, cyber espionage, cyber defence and Darknets. The book subsequently explores recent examples of cyber warfare, including:

- The Stuxnet attack on Iran's uranium refining capability

- The hacking of the German Federal Parliament's internal communication system

- The Wannacry malware campaign, which used software stolen from a US security agency to launch ransomware attacks worldwide

The book then introduces readers to the concept of cyber peace, including a discussion of confidence and security-building measures. A section on Cyber Arms Control draws comparisons to global efforts to control chemical warfare, to reduce the risk of nuclear war, and to prevent the militarization of space. Additional topics include the security of critical information infrastructures, and cultural violence and peace in social media. The book concludes with an outlook on the future role of IT in peace and security.

Information Technology for Peace and Security breaks new ground in a largely unexplored field of study, and offers a valuable asset for a broad readership including students, educators and working professionals in computer science, IT security, peace and conflict studies, and political science.