Cyberspace stands as an arena in constant flux, a realm where nations increasingly rely on essential infrastructure, presenting both collaborative opportunities and heightened risks of exploitation. The growing dependence on cyberspace for critical infrastructure prompts a need for collaborative efforts while concurrently amplifying the vulnerability to malicious cyber activity. Within this landscape, NATO and its member nations encounter and confront malicious cyber activities on a daily basis, responding proactively through the enhancement of cyber defences, collaborative partnerships, and the continual development of capabilities.
The actors within cyberspace pose challenges in identification and anticipation. A diverse array of state, non-state, and state-sponsored entities contribute to the complex setting of civilian and military security concerns in cyberspace. Networks and sensitive information remain primary targets for cyber-based attacks, which are rapidly evolving, surpassing traditional deterrence and defence strategies. Lessons gleaned from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine underscore the increasing deployment of cyber capabilities against both civil and military infrastructure.
“In the cyberspace domain, there are more attacks on more targets than ever before. Looking towards the future, we must be ready to collaborate with partners, both public and private, and share knowledge between the civil and military experts and organizations,” said Mr. Antoine Landry, a cyberspace subject matter expert at Allied Command Transformation. NATO and its Allies work extensively to strengthen the detection, prevention, and protection against cyberattacks, enhanced through civil-military cooperation, and private sector partnerships.
The evolving dynamics of cyber conflict necessitate transformative thinking, comprehensive understanding, and heightened capabilities across the Alliance. Addressing pertinent issues within the cyber defence community, Allied Command Transformation played a pivotal role as part of the moderator team, delivering a keynote speech at the International Conference on Cyber Conflict, hosted by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence in Tallinn, Estonia, earlier this year. The dialogue centred on the challenges of civil-military collaborations in cyberspace, the development of solutions stakeholder comprehension, especially concerning the operational aspects of cyberspace mechanisms and processes.
“NATO will need to defend itself in cyberspace just as effectively as it does in other domains. Allies are upgrading their cyber defences, in conjunction with the wider cyber community, including nations, partners, international organizations, industry and academia,” said Colonel Bernd Hansen, Cyber Branch Head at Allied Command Transformation. Allied Command Transformation addresses cyberspace through two main studies: Cyberspace Strategic Foresight Analysis, and Cyberspace Technology Horizon Scan, providing both conceptual and tangible steps towards cyberspace solutions.
Looking ahead, Allied Command Transformation will chart pathways and capabilities to fortify the Alliance against potential cyber adversaries and competitors, understanding the broader implications across political, economic, social, and security realms. Initiatives such as Cyberspace Situational Awareness aim to enhance commander decision-making, while the TIDE Sprint Cyberspace Track collects inputs crucial for capability development efforts.