We're hearing more and more about cyber-espionage activity launched by nation-states, but this doesn't necessarily mean these cyberattacks, hacks, and disinformation campaigns are happening more often. Cyber-enabled operations by criminals, nation-states, and curious dilettantes have been constants that are increasingly reported, examined, and weaponized. Furthermore, reports often place cyber espionage, hacks, data breaches, and influence campaigns under the "cyberattack" umbrella, which conjures up the feeling that individuals, communities, and nations are under perpetual attack by hostile external forces.
By clarifying the difference between cyber-intelligence operations and hacking, we can better understand espionage and the motives of US adversaries:
Espionage is intelligence derived from a technology-enabled, intrusive operation sponsored and executed by a nation-state's intelligence service. It does not necessarily mean that a country has been attacked. All nations seek insight into their adversaries' leadership, military, economic, and political plans and intentions, and use espionage to gain those insights.
Hacking is a bit more nuanced. Hacking can be the unauthorized access of another person or entity's technical equipment, systems, or software with intent to do harm. Hacking can also be part of an intelligence operation for the purpose of releasing embarrassing information about a rival country's political elite to destabilize the rival while demonstrating its own virtues.
This juxtaposition is useful in authoritarian-leaning countries where political and economic stability is more fragile. Knowing the purpose of a hack (versus what it did) can help discern if it was an act of war, criminal behavior, a hack-and-dump operation designed to embarrass, or an attempt to infiltrate a group to sow dissent.
But why does this matter to the average person, and what role do citizens play?
Raising Awareness ..
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