This course is available for on-campus & remote (online) learning. All students participate in interactive, real-time classes.
The course examines cyber as a strategic environment where states project power and pursue security. It explores the novel interaction between state and non-state actors in digital networks, new patterns of cyber conflict and cooperation, and the challenge presented by cyber-enabled tools of clandestine statecraft including espionage, sabotage, and subversion. It also investigates how states are adapting to threats and opportunities arising from emerging technologies like frontier AI models and quantum computing. Throughout, it considers the potential for cyber developments to disrupt conventional ideas about Australia’s national security policy.
Incorporating insights from scholars and practitioners at the ANU National Security College, this course draws from strategic studies, history, international law, and computer science. The focus of readings, lectures, and assessments will be more strategic than technical, though there will be coverage of the necessary technical vocabulary with which national security scholars and practitioners must be conversant. Throughout, a range of national and international case studies will help to illuminate different conceptual and theoretical perspectives on cyber security, with an eye towards examining and developing ideas to enhance Australian cyber policy.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Understand the challenges and emerging technological trends states face in the modern cyber environment
- Critically appraise the modern developments and emerging technologies shaping the future of state and non-state interactions via cyber
- Communicate analysis and argument related to cyber and emerging technologies, including properly applying correct terminology in technical and national security policy contexts
- Exhibit a good understanding of the measures, drivers and implications of national cyber power and offensive capabilities, as well as the implications for foreign policy and military strategy
- Analyse comparative policy approaches and cyber strategies through case studies
Indicative Assessment
- Short essay (1500 words) (25) [LO 1,2,3,5]
- Research essay (3000 words) (50) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Oral assessment (15 minutes) (25) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The standard workload for a 6 unit course is 130 hours including class time and independent study.
Inherent Requirements
Nil
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
A list of readings will be provided in lieu of a prescribed text.
Preliminary Reading
Michael Fischerkeller, Emily Goldman, and Richard Harknett, Cyber Persistence Theory: Redefining National Security in Cyberspace (Oxford University Press, 2023)
Lennart Maschmeyer, “The subversive trilemma: Why cyber operations fall short of expectations” International Security 46, 2 (2021): 51-90.
Michiel Foulon and Gustav Meibauer, “How cyberspace affects international relations: The promise of structural modifiers” Contemporary Security Policy 45, 3 (2024): 426-458.
Marcus Willett, Cyber Operations and their Responsible Use, 2024 IISS Adelphi Paper
Jon Lindsay, Age of Deception: Cybersecurity as Secret Statecraft (Cornell University Press, 2025)
John Naughton, “The evolution of the internet: from military experiment to General Purpose Technology” Journal of Cyber Policy 1, 1 (2016): 5-28.
Daniel Moore and Thomas Rid, “Cryptopolitik and the Darknet” Survival 58, 1 (2016): 7-38.
Assumed Knowledge
Nil
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 14
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $5040 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2027 | $7200 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On Campus | ||||||
| 10497 | 26 Jul 2027 | 02 Aug 2027 | 31 Aug 2027 | 29 Oct 2027 | In Person | N/A |
| Online | ||||||
| 10498 | 26 Jul 2027 | 02 Aug 2027 | 31 Aug 2027 | 29 Oct 2027 | Online | N/A |