LS452L: International Cybersecurity Law

LS452L: INTERNATIONAL CYBERSECURITY LAW (2025-2026)

Last modified: 22 Jul 2026 13:41

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	25 credits (12.5 ECTS credits)
Campus	Aberdeen	Sustained Study	No
Co-ordinators	Professor Irene Couzigou

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

One of Programme Level 3 or Programme Level 4 or Programme Level 5
Any Undergraduate Programme
Either Law (LS) or Bachelor Of Laws With International Exchange (With Honours)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

LX452L International Cybersecurity Law (Studied)

Are there a limited number of places available?

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 21st September 2026 for Term 1 and Full Year courses and 8th January 2027 for Term 2 courses.

Summative Assessments

Case Study

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	30
Assessment Weeks		Feedback Weeks		Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	1,000-word Case Study worth 30% of the overall grade. Written feedback provided.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Conceptual	Understand	An enhanced knowledge of international law of cyberspace
Factual	Evaluate	An ability to critically analyse whether current rules can be applied to cyberspace and whether they should be adapted to this new area of activities
Procedural	Create	An ability to organise and communicate ideas clearly and cogently, orally and in written
Reflection	Analyse	An ability to access, and use for analysis, relevant texts and electronic databases

Online Exam

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	60
Assessment Weeks		Feedback Weeks		Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	2-hour exam worth 60% of the overall grade. Written feedback for the exam.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Conceptual	Understand	An enhanced knowledge of international law of cyberspace
Factual	Evaluate	An ability to critically analyse whether current rules can be applied to cyberspace and whether they should be adapted to this new area of activities
Procedural	Create	An ability to organise and communicate ideas clearly and cogently, orally and in written
Reflection	Analyse	An 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		Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	Multiple-Choice Questions class test worth 10% of the overall grade.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Conceptual	Understand	An enhanced knowledge of international law of cyberspace
Factual	Evaluate	An ability to critically analyse whether current rules can be applied to cyberspace and whether they should be adapted to this new area of activities
Procedural	Create	An ability to organise and communicate ideas clearly and cogently, orally and in written

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Resubmission of failed element in resit diet

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting
Assessment Weeks		Feedback Weeks	Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	Re-submission of failed element in re-sit diet; the failed course will be capped at grade 09 (D3).

Learning Outcomes

Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on or with the Course Coordinator
Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Reflection	Analyse	An ability to access, and use for analysis, relevant texts and electronic databases
Conceptual	Understand	An enhanced knowledge of international law of cyberspace
Factual	Evaluate	An ability to critically analyse whether current rules can be applied to cyberspace and whether they should be adapted to this new area of activities
Procedural	Create	An ability to organise and communicate ideas clearly and cogently, orally and in written

51cg