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LX452L: INTERNATIONAL CYBERSECURITY LAW (2026-2027)

Last modified: 01 Oct 2025 13:47


Course Overview

The course addresses international legal issues raised by the increasing need to secure information and communication technology. It gives a comprehensive map of the international cybersecurity governance; explores the modalities of international cyberattacks; discusses data protection in the EU and UK; questions the role of States in international cybersecurity, examines what cyberoperations violate international law and how States could react to them; also studies the role of private companies, including online platforms, in securing cyberspace. Teaching will be principally delivered through discussion-based seminars.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Term Second Term Credit Points 30 credits (15 ECTS credits)
Campus Aberdeen Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Professor Irene Couzigou

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • Any Undergraduate Programme
  • Legal Studies (Ma Honours) (LX)
  • One of Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4 or Programme Level 5

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

Are there a limited number of places available?

Yes

One or more of these courses have a limited number of places. Priority access will be given to students for whom this course is compulsory. Please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions for more details on this process.


Course Description

The course addresses international legal issues raised by the increasing need to secure information and communication technology. It gives a comprehensive map of the international cybersecurity governance; explores the modalities of international cyberattacks; discusses data protection in the EU and UK; questions the role of States in international cybersecurity, examines what cyberattacks violate international law and how States could react to them; also studies the role of private companies, including online platforms, in securing cyberspace. Teaching will be principally delivered through discussion-based seminars.

The intended learning outcomes of the course are the following:

  • Understanding of the legal issues raised by international cybersecurity;
  • Ability to access, and use for analysis, relevant texts and electronic databases;
  • Ability to organise and communicate, in written and orally, relevant ideas clearly and cogently;
  • Skills of interpretation, analysis, critical reasoning, and independent thought in relation to key aspects of international cybersecurity law.

 


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 31 August 2025 for 1st Term courses and 19 December 2025 for 2nd Term courses.

Summative Assessments

Online Exam

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 60
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Durationn: 2 hours

Written feedback 

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandAn enhanced knowledge of international law of cyberspace.
FactualEvaluateAn ability to critically analyse whether current rules can be applied to cyberspace and whether they should be adapted to this new area of activities.
ProceduralCreateAn ability to organise and communicate ideas clearly and cogently, orally and in written.
ReflectionAnalyseAn ability to access, and use for analysis, relevant texts and electronic databases.

Class Test - Multiple Choice Questions

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 10
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandAn enhanced knowledge of international law of cyberspace.
FactualEvaluateAn ability to critically analyse whether current rules can be applied to cyberspace and whether they should be adapted to this new area of activities.
ProceduralCreateAn ability to organise and communicate ideas clearly and cogently, orally and in written.

Case Study

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 30
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Written Feedback

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ConceptualUnderstandAn enhanced knowledge of international law of cyberspace.
FactualEvaluateAn ability to critically analyse whether current rules can be applied to cyberspace and whether they should be adapted to this new area of activities.
ProceduralCreateAn ability to organise and communicate ideas clearly and cogently, orally and in written.
ReflectionAnalyseAn ability to access, and use for analysis, relevant texts and electronic databases.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Resubmission of failed element in resit diet

Assessment Type Summative Weighting 100
Assessment Weeks Feedback Weeks

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Feedback

Re-submission of failed element in re-sit diet; the failed course will be capped at grade 09 (D3).

Learning Outcomes
Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on MyAberdeen or with the Course Coordinator

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge LevelThinking SkillOutcome
ReflectionAnalyseAn ability to access, and use for analysis, relevant texts and electronic databases.
ProceduralCreateAn ability to organise and communicate ideas clearly and cogently, orally and in written.
ConceptualUnderstandAn enhanced knowledge of international law of cyberspace.
FactualEvaluateAn ability to critically analyse whether current rules can be applied to cyberspace and whether they should be adapted to this new area of activities.

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