Page 1 - Lesson 15.xps

Module -V
Cyber Warfare
Warfare and
Its Types

15

Note
CYBER WARFARE

In the last three lessons we have learnt about Nuclear, Biological and Chemical
Warfares. With the advent of information technology and increased use of cyber space
there is a new form of warfare that is being extensively used by adversaries and that is
cyber warfare.
Cyber war relates to the use of computer technology to disrupt the activities of a state
or organization. It is the deliberate attacking of information systems for strategic or
military purposes. It implies disrupting or destroying information and communication
system of an adversary, and trying to know everything about an adversary, while
keeping the adversary from knowing much about oneself.

Cyber warfare involves both offensive and defensive operations pertaining to the threat
of cyber attacks, for espionage and sabotage. There has been controversy over whether
such activities can be called "war". Nevertheless, nations have been developing their
capabilities and engaged in cyber warfare either as an aggressor or defendant, or
both.

Objectives

After studying this lesson, you will be able to:

• explain the definition of Cyber Warfare;
• recognise the types of cyber threats;

• describe the types of cybercrime, cyber attackers and cyber weapons;
• explain cyber penetration and the remedial measures to be taken and

• explain the cyber security policy.

15.1 Definition of Cyber warfare

Cyber warfare has been defined as "actions by a nation-state to penetrate another
nation's computers or networks for the purposes of causing damage or disruption".
Other definitions also include non-state actors, such as terrorist groups, companies,

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MILITARY STUDIES 57