 |
In recent years, the concept of war has undergone a dramatic transformation. Conflicts are no longer fought solely on traditional battlefields with tanks and soldiers—they’re also waged behind computer screens. Cyberspace has become the new front line, where nations and organizations clash using invisible weapons: code and algorithms.
Digital Armies Backed by Governments
Many countries have now developed specialized cyberwarfare units. A prominent example is Russia. The hacking group “Fancy Bear” (APT28), linked to the Russian military intelligence agency GRU, has been associated with attacks on European and Western institutions, including the German Parliament and NATO (Wikipedia).
North Korea has also heavily invested in cyber capabilities. According to an investigation by The Sun, children with strong math and tech skills are selected at a young age and trained to become elite cyber-soldiers, later deployed in operations ranging from cyber espionage to cryptocurrency theft for military funding (The Sun).
Targeting Critical Infrastructure
Cyberattacks go far beyond data theft or website defacement. Increasingly, they target critical infrastructure such as hospitals, railways, airports, and power grids. In the United Kingdom, a loose alliance of around 90 pro-Russian and pro-Palestinian hacktivist groups, called the “Holy League,” has launched frequent attacks on government agencies, military networks, and infrastructure operators (The Times).
In the United States, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) warned of potential cyberattacks from China, aimed at crippling essential services like pipelines and the rail system (The Hacker News).
Cybercriminals Working With Governments
One alarming trend is the growing collaboration between state actors and cybercriminal groups. A recent example involves Iranian hackers who breached an Israeli dating website, leaking sensitive data for political and psychological impact. As reported by Associated Press, this illustrates how the line between cybercrime and state-sponsored cyberwarfare is becoming increasingly blurred (AP News).
The Revival of Hacktivism
Beyond states and criminals, ideologically motivated groups—known as hacktivists—are making a comeback. These actors target government websites, media outlets, and corporations to spread political messages or destabilize adversaries. According to Le Monde, many such groups are not entirely independent; in fact, they often operate with direct or indirect support from nation-states, providing governments with plausible deniability (Le Monde).
Conclusion
What we’re witnessing is a historic shift: war today is increasingly fought in the digital domain. The targets are no longer just enemy soldiers, but hospitals, banks, energy grids, and communication networks. Cyberspace has become a contested battleground, where the protection of infrastructure and information is a strategic necessity.
Nations must invest in cyber defense, raise awareness about digital threats, and work together on a global scale. Some analysts suggest that the next world war might not involve traditional weapons at all—yet it could still bring chaos on an unprecedented scale.
Follow me #techelopment
Official site: www.techelopment.it
facebook: Techelopment
instagram: @techelopment
X: techelopment
Bluesky: @techelopment
telegram: @techelopment_channel
whatsapp: Techelopment
youtube: @techelopment
