Are the Increase in Cyberattacks Leading to an All-Out Cyber War?

Many are wondering if we are already experiencing a cyber war, and it does feel like we are with Ukraine already experiencing more than 150 cyberattacks in the first 10 weeks of 2022. In January 2022 alone, hackers attacked more than 70 government websites in Ukraine. In fact, there were about 6 billion potential cyberattacks around the world in a single day in March 2022.  

23% of cyberattacks targeted Ukraine as the country is considered a good testing ground for new cyber weapons due to its limited ability to execute a counter-attack. Ukraine has experienced an increase in cyberattacks in recent years. In 2015, Russian hackers were suspected of cutting access to electricity for 230,000 customers in western Ukraine. In 2017, the “NotPetya” attack wiped data from computers used in the business, financial, and power grid sectors. The E.U. and U.S. have aided Ukraine in strengthening their cyber defenses, but it’s believed that cyberattacks are unlikely to stay within the country’s borders. 

Growing connections between physical and cyber assets are increasing the risk to cybersecurity. The pandemic has only added to the concern. It caused more people to move crucial information to the cloud as well as work remotely using vulnerable home networks, exposing more confidential data to hackers.

Although cyberattacks have typically been less devastating compared to cyber wars, they still have the potential to destroy essential technology, disable electrical grids, and damage power infrastructures.

An all-out attack aimed at multiple targets at once can even magnify the damage. On the other hand, a cyber war can cause extensive damage similar to a natural disaster. For example, knocking out a power grid could cause widespread damage, loss of electricity, limited access to food and water, and many deaths.

Although the U.S. is considered one of the most cyber-secure countries, most cyberattacks are distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks, which aim to separate people from essential everyday resources such as water, food, and utilities, making them quite dangerous. Thus, Americans are starting to take measures to protect themselves from possible cyber warfare. This includes updating software for computers and mobile devices, backing up crucial data, and having generators installed as well as preparing water and food storage. 

Now is a better time than any to prepare for a cyber war before it’s too late.