The Encyclopedia of Cyber Warfare, as it readily shares, is “largely focused on the Western experience, particularly that of the United States” in its articulation of the historic record and the “capability of the cyber domain”. The Encyclopedia, reviewed here in its e-book version, opens with an alphabetical List of Entries with associated acronyms and a Guide to Related Topics. The Guide to Related Topics is divided into nine parts: Individuals, US Government Organizations, Private Corporations, Cyber Capabilities Evaluations, Popular Culture, Cyber-Warfare Technology, Cyber Warfare Attacks and Programs, Nonstate Cyber Actors and International Organizations. In a logical manner, the List of Entries and Guide to Related Topics provide assistance and direction to the presented entries. A List of Documents, Preface and Introduction highlights aspects central to the content as well as contribute to the understanding of key perspectives and backdrops.
As shared, the Encyclopedia leans to the Western experience, terminology and situations. Entries vary in terms of breadth, depth and length; however, overall they are well written and researched. Each entry takes the form of a short essay with see also references and a list of Further Readings at the end. Five separate appendices are included in the Encyclopedia: Primary Documents, Chronology, Bibliography, Contributors and an Index. With over 200 entries, detailing a variety of related subject matter, the Encyclopedia serves as a basic reference tool, as the entries do not presume prior understanding on the part of the reader. Scholars interested in comprehending the events, vocabulary and related circumstances associated with the nature and history of cyber warfare will find the Encyclopedia useful.
The editor of Encyclopedia of Cyber Warfare is a Professor of Comparative Military Studies and the Chair of the Department of Research at Air Command and Staff College in Montgomery, Alabama. Dr Paul J. Springer currently teaches courses on leadership, strategy, terrorism and technology, and prior to being on the faculty at the Air Command and Staff College taught at the United States Military Academy at West Point and Texas A&M University. He is the author of several books on military and related matters, including several other titles for ABC-CLIO, such as Military Robots and Drones (2013), Cyber Warfare (2015) and 9/11 and the War on Terror (2016). The knowledge and experience of the individuals listed in the Contributors appendix is a particular strength of the work.
The Encyclopedia will appeal to those who are interested in understanding the constantly evolving nature of cyber warfare. It is a useful contribution to the collection of literature, and this reviewer finds Encyclopedia of Cyber Warfare a recommended addition to academic and public libraries.
