Rethinking cybersecurity: Emerging threats, malign intent and the path ahead

Cybersecurity has received significant global attention due to the audacious attacks against critical infrastructure and the surge in digital crimes.

Given the ubiquitous nature of digital technologies, “cyberspace” has become synonymous with entertainment, commerce, politics, among others.

It has also become a symbol of innovation, openness, and empowerment. However, these same ideas, which underpins the current global digital revolution, are being weaponized by malign actors through asymmetric and gray zone strategies. 

The current geopolitical rivalry between states is also evident in cyberspace. For instance, democratic states embrace the free and open flow of information.  

While authoritarian states advocate for the control of information through legal and extra-legal means. In a 60-Minutes interview with Lesley Stahl, US Ambassador to China Nicolas Burns accurately described this dichotomy in big power competition as a “battle of ideas.”  

I believe that the evolution of thought regarding cyber can be attributed to the ongoing weaponization of the digital environment. Initially based on a productivity and technology-centric view, this “efficiency first, security later” paradigm has resulted in the exploitation and eventual securitization of cyberspace.

For instance, renowned author and Harvard professor Joseph Nye argues that “cyber” is smart power, being able to achieve balance between hard (i.e. military and economic) and soft power (i.e. information and diplomacy).

While John Sheldon of the George Marshall Institute underscores the significant value of cyber power because of its ability to maintain considerable influence over an adversary during peace and war.

In addition, in Yuval Harari’s latest book, Nexus, he argues that unrestricted access to AI combined with quantum and cyber technologies can super charge conflict, thus posing a possible existential problem for humanity. 

Interestingly, we are now witnessing these ideas come into fruition on the battlefields of Ukraine, in the US, Taiwan and even in the Philippines.

Today, we are now seeing cyber becoming a preeminent global security concern. In its 2024 Global Risk report, the World Economic