Today’s weapon of choice, its expanding dimensions

Source– The post is based on the article “Today’s weapon of choice, its expanding dimensions” published in The Hindu on 18th October 2022.

Syllabus: GS3- Basics of cyber security

Relevance– New domains of cyber security

News- The article explains that cyber threats are not limited to the military domain. It is  the civilian sphere where it is all-pervading today.

What are the new dimensions of cyber threats?

All prevalent nature– Cyber threats are not confined to one set of conflicts like the Ukraine war. Cyber threats are prevalent across many regions and operating on different planes. There is weaponization of everything.

Grey zone operations- These are emerging as a new form of battle ground. They fall outside traditional concepts of conflicts.

Several non-states actors are engaging in hybrid warfare and interfering in day-to-day practices. The Recent arrest of a Russian national for hacking the system involved in conducting the IIT entrance examination is a reflection of grey zone operations. This examination software is deemed to be among the most secure examination software across the world.

Emerging spheres of cyber battles– In the case of the Russia-Ukraine war, cyberspace has become an experiment for various players to support a weaker nation against a more powerful opponent. It is done through distortion of information and communication flows, which are considered essential to the success or failure of any war strategy. it has certainly added a new cyber dimension to the ongoing conflict.

What is the way forward?

Prevalent of cyberthreats across many domains calls for both versatility and imaginative thinking.

The emerging nature of cyber security threats pose legal, ethical and real dilemmas. There is a need for regulating cyberspace and laying down proper rules and practices to deal with these challenges.