Comparison of the Phases of Cyberwarfare and a Typical Cyber-Attack.edited
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Comparison of the Phases of Cyberwarfare and a Typical Cyber-Attack
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Cyberwarfare and cyber-attacks share some similarities, but they also have significant
differences. Cyberwarfare is a type of conflict between nation-states, while various actors,
including individual threat actors, criminal organizations, and state-sponsored groups, can
perpetrate cyber-attacks.
The phases of a cyber operation in cyberwarfare typically include intelligence gathering,
weaponization, delivery, exploitation, and control. These phases are similar to those of a typical
cyber-attack, which include reconnaissance, weaponization, delivery, exploitation, and command
and control (NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, 2021).
The reconnaissance phase in cyberwarfare and cyber-attacks involves gathering
information about the target. Cyber warfare can include mapping out the target's critical
infrastructure, identifying vulnerabilities, and determining potential attack vectors. A cyber-
attack can involve gathering information about the target's network architecture, system
configurations, and potential vulnerabilities.
The weaponization phase in cyberwarfare and cyber-attacks involves creating or
obtaining the tools necessary to carry out the attack. Cyber warfare can involve developing
malware specifically designed to target the target's infrastructure. A cyber-attack can involve
obtaining the malware from a third-party source or developing it in-house (Bunker, 2015).
The delivery phase in cyberwarfare and cyber-attacks involves getting the weaponized
malware to the target. Cyber warfare can involve using specialized techniques to infiltrate the
target's network, such as spear-phishing or zero-day exploits. A cyber-attack can involve sending
malware via email or social engineering.
The exploitation phase in cyberwarfare and cyber-attacks involves executing the malware
on the target system. Cyber warfare can involve taking control of the target's infrastructure or
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using malware to disrupt or destroy it. A cyber-attack can involve stealing sensitive data,
encrypting data for ransom, or disrupting the target's operations.
The control phase in cyberwarfare and cyber-attacks involves maintaining control over
the target system. Cyber warfare can involve maintaining access to the target's infrastructure for
future attacks or using it for intelligence-gathering purposes. A cyber-attack can involve
establishing command and control over the target system to carry out further attacks or to
exfiltrate data (Denning, 2013).
In conclusion, the phases of a cyber operation in cyberwarfare and typical cyber-attack
share similarities but have differences in their objectives and targets. While individuals or groups
can carry out cyber-attacks, cyber warfare is a conflict between nation-states with the potential to
cause significant damage to critical infrastructure and national security.
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References
Bunker, R. J. (2015). Cyberwarfare: Implications for NATO. Strategic Studies Quarterly, 9(1), 2-
18.
Denning, D. E. (2013). Cyber conflict and international law. Journal of Conflict & Security Law,
18(2), 185-213.
NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence. (2021). Tallinn Manual 2.0 on the
International Law Applicable to Cyber Operations. Cambridge University Press.