The second edition of Information Technology for Peace and Security – IT Applications and Infrastructures in Conflicts, Crises, War, and Peace has just been released, five years after its initial publication in 2019. This revised and expanded textbook, edited by Prof. Dr. Dr. Christian Reuter and the PEASEC-Team delves into the pivotal role that technological and scientific advancements—particularly in information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence (AI)—play in the realms of peace and security.

The book introduces foundational concepts in peace, conflict, and security research, focusing on natural, technical, and computer science perspectives. Subsequent chapters explore critical issues such as cyber conflicts, cyber arms control, cyber attribution, the role of AI, and the importance of ICT infrastructures in managing peace and conflict.
In light of recent political and security developments, this edition includes new analyses on global conflicts, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the Israel-Hamas conflict in 2023. It examines how ICTs and social media are increasingly influential in conflict zones, enabling coordination for those fleeing violence, while also facilitating disinformation campaigns during elections and crises worldwide.
Comprising contributions from 31 authors across 14 universities and research institutes, this book emphasizes the necessity of interdisciplinary research in technical peace and security studies to understand and address the implications of rapid technological progress.

Funding:

This work was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) as well as by the Hessen State Ministry for Higher Education, Research and the Arts (HMWK) within their joint support of the National Research Center for Applied Cybersecurity ATHENE, by the German Research Foundation (DFG) within the Collaborative Research Centre 1119 CROSSING (236615297) and by the BMBF within TraCe, the Regional Research Center Transformations of Political Violence (01UG2203E).
Reuter (2024): Information Technology for Peace and Security – IT Applications and Infrastructures in Conflicts, Crises, War, and Peace; https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-658-44810-3; eBook ISBN: 978-3-658-44810-3

  • Explores the history and dangerous future of unchecked information warfare
  • Describes efforts to promote cyber arms control by building trust and transparency
  • Establishes a new research direction: information technology for peace and security
2nd Edition of Information Technology for Peace and Security Published