Cyber Warfare and Defence: The Hidden Conflict

Cyber warfare is the new battleground—silent, borderless, and increasingly central to modern conflict.

- By Prof. Ajay Singh

Cyber warfare has become integral to modern conflicts, and nations are continuously evolving their strategies to counter emerging threats. Cyber warfare is often called a hidden conflict because it operates in the digital realm, away from traditional battlefields, making it difficult to detect, attribute, and counter. Cyber-attacks tend to escalate significantly in times of war, targeting critical infrastructure, government institutions, and military networks. Unlike conventional warfare, cyberattacks don't involve tanks, missiles, or soldiers—they happen silently through networks and code.

Recent conflicts have seen cyberattacks playing a significant role in geopolitical tensions. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has been punctuated with cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure, including power grids and water services.

Following the Pahalgam terror attack on 22nd April, cyberattacks have escalated between India and Pakistan. Pakistani hacker groups have been highly active and have been making intense efforts to breach the defences of Indian institutions. Indian cybersecurity agencies have responded by strengthening defences and conducting security exercises. Reports indicate that India has faced 1.5 crore cyberattacks post-Pahalgam strike. Indian government agencies across the country have stepped up their vigilance and response, A “Nation First Fact First” campaign has been launched to battle the menace of misinformation.

CYBER WARFARE THREAT SCENARIOS

Some common scenarios and trends are observed when cyber activity becomes integral to international conflicts. These include: