The Evolving Landscape of Cybersecurity Threats in International Relations
In terms of the way they communicate on the international arena, cyber threats refer to the
potential for harmful operations carried out through digital means to threaten the safety,
interests, or goals of one or more states. Cyberattacks, cyberespionage, misinformation
operations, and other hostile online behavior are all included in this group of dangers. A
contemporary and unusual conflict started as the old millennium came to a close and the new
one began. This threat is now urgent and unavoidable for both large and small countries due
to technical advancement and the emergence of contemporary computers. The current era's
phenomenal technological advancement has not resulted in the creation of more deadly
instruments of warfare, but rather in more detrimental inventions. Cyber threats are
increasingly becoming more sophisticated and difficult to detect. Such attacks can cause
economic, political and reputational damage to states and international organizations. They
can also have the potential to disrupt critical infrastructure, including telecommunications,
energy and financial networks. Cyberattacks, cyberespionage, misinformation operations, and
other hostile online behavior are all included in this group of dangers.
Now, I would like to consider one of the most common attacks - cyber assaults that endanger
national security. Cyberwarfare, which includes assaults on military equipment, government
activities, and essential infrastructure, has emerged as a serious danger to national security.
The ramifications for national security are enormous since cyberattacks may seriously impair
a nation's capacity to protect itself or perform crucial tasks. Governments and armies all
around the globe are growing more worried about the possible effects of cyber attacks on
their national security as a result. Cyber Warfare has become a more effective tactic for
nations seeking an advantage over their competitors as a result of the development of the
internet and the spread of digital technology. Massive cyberattacks have the power to impair
vital services, destroy economies, and damage a country's standing. Military activities are at
risk when networks used by the military are attacked because they threaten communication
and sensitive information systems. I propose to consider the case of the Russian cyber-attack
that occurred in Ukraine in 2015. Numerous consumers in Ukraine were affected by
unplanned power outages that occurred on December 23, 2015, according to Ukrainian
electricity firms. Interagency team from Department of Energy, Federal Bureau of
Investigation, Industrial Control Systems Cyber Emergency Response Team (ICS-CERT),
US-CERT, National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC), and
North American Electric Reliability Corporation went to Ukraine to work together and gain
more knowledge1. The Ukrainian government exchanged intelligence with the American
team and collaborated extensively and openly to help stop future cyberattacks. The team
discovered through interviews with affected parties that three local electricity distribution
firms (Oblenergos), which serve around 225,000 people, were the targets of remote cyber
attacks that resulted in power disruptions.At the end of the cyberattack, the actors deleted
certain computers, according to all three firms. They did this by launching the KillDisk virus.
The KillDisk virus disables systems by erasing certain files from them and corrupting the
master boot record. Also, there is a site program named Center for Strategic and International
Studies2, and it documents notable cyber events that have occurred since 2006, with an
emphasis on cyberattacks on government institutions, high-tech military firms, and
1 “Cyber-Attack Against Ukrainian Critical Infrastructure”, https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/ics-alerts/ir-alert-h-
16-056-01
2 “Significant Cyber Incidents”, https://www.csis.org/programs/strategic-technologies-program/significant-
cyber-incidents
businesses. So, based on the data that the site provides, we can estimate that there were 16
cases of cyber attacks in September alone, and six of those involved are Russian
cybercriminals. I think the reason for that is the well-established cybercriminal ecosystem,
which offers anonymity and protection to cybercriminals, provides a platform for monetizing
cybercriminal activities, forums, marketplaces for stolen data, and hacker communities.
Moreover these online communities support hacking operations and the sharing of hacking
methods and resources.
Cyber espionage also compromises national security by making it easier for private data to be
stolen. Additionally, cyberwarfare has the potential to undermine public confidence by
manipulating democratic processes. One of the most major cyber espionage cases took place
in 2012. According to reports, beginning in 2012, Chinese government hackers broke into
the American Office of Personnel Management and stole the personal data of 21 million
citizens. This cyber espionage gave the criminals access to private information on those who
sought for or had jobs with the US government, including those who served in the military.
When OPM staff identified malware that created a backdoor onto the network in June 2015,
the data breach was found. Only in 2017, a Chinese person suspected of being involved in the
creation of malware, was detained. The breach caused significant damage to the victims and
caused the US government to spend millions of dollars on security measures. It also
highlighted the need for better security measures to protect government data from cyber-
attacks.
If we talk about what global measures should be taken in order to be protected and prevent
major attacks, from my vantage point, firstly, international norms and agreements should be
adopted and respected. These agreements should include guidelines for preventing
cyberattacks on essential facilities, safeguarding intellectual property, and promoting
peaceful usage of the internet. Additionally, I think cybersecurity diplomacy should be
established among countries to build trust and cooperation. In the future, thanks to
diplomacy, cyber dangers may be addressed diplomatically and disputes over cyber
occurrences can be settled. To this suggestion, I might add the establishment of
collaborations and public-private partnerships. Governments and the corporate sector
working together may strengthen critical infrastructure protection, boost information
exchange, and create cybersecurity standards. Threat intelligence that is shared on time can
assist identify and counteract cyber attacks more successfully. I also believe that cyber
security should be an interest of ordinary people. It is essential to educate the public on
internet safety best practices and cyberthreats. To educate the public against phishing,
malware, and online fraud, nations launch campaigns and educational initiatives, encouraging
the study of cybersecurity at all levels, including in the business and in schools. Promote the
creation of cybersecurity training programs and curriculum worldwide.
Around the world, the digital age has brought forth extraordinary developments and
revolutions that have completely changed how people connect, communicate, and conduct
business. However, as information technology has spread over the globe, cyber dangers have
also grown significantly, posing serious concerns to global security. These dangers cover a
broad range of activities, from cybercrime and espionage to cyberwarfare, and they have the
ability to destabilize countries, harm economies, and jeopardize national security. Cyber
threats have a significant and diverse influence on global security, with effects ranging from
national sovereignty challenges to economic disruptions. The necessity for a coordinated
worldwide response to cyber threats is more important than ever as digital technology allows
the globe to become more linked. To ensure that the digital age stays a driver for
advancement rather than a cause of instability, nations must cooperate to define international
rules, improve collaboration, and build capacity to guard against cyber threats. In an
increasingly linked world, failure to handle these concerns might endanger global security
and stability.
