ABSTRACT
This chapter explores contemporary cyberwarfare. Beginning with a discussion of the concept and the problems of its definition, it traces how governments became aware of both the issue of cybersecurity and the possibilities of cyberoffence. The chapter then looks at real examples of ‘cyberattacks’ by states such as the US, Russia, China and North Korea before offering an evaluation of ‘cyberwar’ and its threat. The chapter argues that the concept of ‘war’ doesn’t entirely fit the reality we are seeing, as we face instead continuous, real-time ‘attacks’, disruption, espionage and informational psyops from a huge range of actors leading to a form of ‘war’ happening everywhere, at all times, against any system and population. ‘Cyberwar’, therefore, is now our ambient reality.
