Cyberwarfare: A Threat to National Security

Abstract

The rise of emerging technologies and the growing use of internet has led to a more digitized world where cyberspace has become the new battleground for nations to compete with each other. Cyber attacks comprise a range of assaults that can put at risk the critical infrastructure and thereby the national security of a state. Damage by cyber-attacks could be inflicted through cyber espionage, hacktivism, ransomware or cyber terrorism. Cyberspace has a significant effect on the instruments of national power such as diplomacy, economy, military prowess and control over information. Thus, it requires a ‘whole of nation approach’ at all levels to protect the physical and network security of critical infrastructure which is imperative for national security. Cyber-attacks have become a potent tool in the hands of both state and non-state actors because of their relative cost-effectiveness, difficulty of attribution, anonymity and ambiguous nature. The study comprehensively identifies the nature of cyber-attacks that endanger the national security of Pakistan. Furthermore, the paper examines the extent of the resilience of the cyber security policy of Pakistan in providing a robust mechanism to contend with the threat of cyber-attacks. This research also provides policy recommendations to enhance the cyber security infrastructure of Pakistan. This research is qualitative and both primary and secondary sources have been used to analyze the research topic.