01347nas a2200085   4500000000100000008004100001245014100042856010900183520096900292       2023                            d00aDual-use in volunteer operations? Attitudes of computer science students regarding the establishment of a cyber security volunteer force  uhttps://www.research-collection.ethz.ch/bitstream/handle/20.500.11850/611034/4/9788366675896.pdf#page=693 aThe digitalisation of critical infrastructure has increased the risk of large-scale cyber incidents. In contrast to the management of conventional emergencies by established civil protection organisations involving volunteers in Germany, few response capacities exist for these events. The concept of a volunteer force for cyber security could close this protection gap. However, such involvement also poses practical and ethical challenges. By conducting interviews with computer science students (N = 11), this paper analyses potential volunteers’ attitudes towards ethical implications of a cyber volunteer force, as well as practical aspects that might motivate or hinder their participation. A qualitative content analysis reveals that students are largely unaware of potential dilemmas connected to vulnerabilities handling and national cybersecurity interests. Ethical guidelines and means of motivating and encouraging potential volunteers are discussed.