Cyber Warfare Trends, Tactics and Strategies: Lessons for Pakistan

Abstract

With the advent of the digital revolution, computer security has gradually evolved from a technology problem to a business and safety problem. Unlike conventional warfare, cyber warfare is inexpensive, effective and obscure, which in case of conflict, offers nation states a combination of cyber tools such as espionage, subversion, disinformation, and propaganda. Cyber warfare may prove decisive in many international conflicts in the future. This paper discusses the evolution of cyber-attack surfaces, adversaries and next generation cyber-attacks, and illustrates the security risks posed by the technological revolution and its impacts. It further discusses the potential solutions, and measures which the Government of Pakistan (GoP) may take to build effective detection and response cyber warfare capabilities. The GoP should consolidate the available cluster of skills and technology to establish a national agency mandated to conduct cybersecurity for efficient critical asset protection and effective response to any kind of cyber-attack.