As the conflict between Russia and Ukraine reaches its one-year anniversary, it’s worth revisiting how this war has played out in cyberspace. The use of cyber attacks and cyber espionage in modern warfare has become more common over the last decade, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has provided a vivid example of just how devastating these tactics can be.
One of the more notable aspects of Russia’s cyber tactics in Ukraine has been the use of wiper malware. This type of malware is designed to wipe out data on a particular system, rendering it effectively useless. While data can often be salvaged through backups, the primary purpose of wiper malware is to cause severe damage and disrupt operations.
This type of malware has been used with increasing frequency in Ukraine over the past year. In September of 2014, an attack on the Ministry of Defense wiped out much of its electronic archives. Months later, another attack hit the Ukrainian Energy Ministry, resulting in hours-long blackouts across several regions. Just this past June, the Ukrainian tax administration system was targeted in an attack that wiped out data on over 20 computers and disrupted operations for several days.
While these attacks have caused significant damage to Ukraine’s infrastructure and economy, they have not been successful in crippling the country. Ukrainian officials have credited the use of backup systems and other resilience measures for mitigating the effects of these attacks. However, they have also acknowledged that the constant threat of cyber attacks has put a significant strain on Ukraine’s resources.
The use of cyber attacks in modern warfare is not limited to just Ukraine, however. Cyber attacks have been a significant element of modern conflicts in the Middle East and have also been used in North Korea’s conflict with the United States.
One of the primary reasons that cyber attacks have become such a significant element of modern warfare is the fact that they can be relatively low-cost and low-risk for attackers. Physical bombing runs or military operations carry significant risks for those involved and can lead to significant international backlash. Cyber attacks, on the other hand, can often be carried out by relatively small teams or lone actors and can be difficult to attribute to any particular group or country.
However, the use of cyber attacks has also led to a sort of digital arms race between countries. As countries become more proficient at launching cyber attacks, they are also pressured to develop more sophisticated defenses to protect their own systems. This has led to the development of new cybersecurity technologies and has also led to increased cooperation and collaboration between countries on cyber defense initiatives.
Overall, the conflict in Ukraine has demonstrated just how significant the use of cyber attacks can be in modern warfare. While the physical damage caused by these types of attacks may be limited, the disruption and cost they can cause can be immense. As countries continue to develop and refine their cyber capabilities, it’s likely that we will see even more significant cyber attacks in the future. However, the deployment of resilience measures and collaboration between countries can help to minimize the impact of these attacks and reduce the risk of future conflicts escalating into full-scale cyber wars.