On 9th April, Professor Mike Schmitt spoke to students of the United States Naval War College on the legality of the United States’ strategy of “Persistent Engagement” in cyberspace. According to the strategy, the U.S. will operate in other country’s cyberspace whenever necessary to prevent, and respond to, hostile cyber operations mounted by those countries or by others countries or groups from or through their territory. The legality of the operations, according to Professor Schmitt, depends on the nature of the cyber operations to which they respond, the identity of the attacker, and the type and severity of the U.S. cyber response.

The Naval War College provides post graduate education in national security and strategic affairs for mid-career and senior officers and senior government civilians from the United States and other nations.  It is home to the Stockton Center for International Law, widely recognised as the world’s premier think tank in operational law. Professor Schmitt is the former Chairman of the Stockton Center and currently Professor Emeritus at the College.