The New Cold War: Cyber Frontline

Abstract

The ongoing escalation of animosities between the United States, the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China is beginning to resemble the Cold War, which as a historical period might have ended in the twentieth century, but still endures as a state of hostilities between the countries, expressed in the form of an indirect conflict. These countries are actively growing their cyber capabilities that enable indirect and covert operations aimed at their opponents. In cyberspace, the states involved express the hostilities and the aims they try to achieve in the least detectable way. As a result, cyberspace has been securitized. It has been recognized by NATO as a domain of activities. In the United States, the National Cybersecurity Strategy has been published, recognizing cyberspace as an integral part of the economy and defence. A similar document called the Information Security Doctrine was issued in the Russian Federation, which manifests Russia’s aspirations in the field of information technology. The militarization of this area shows that cyberspace is becoming a battlefield in the new cold war. The Russian military invasion of Ukraine is complemented by the activities in the cyberspace. I analyse the new confrontation between the above-mentioned powers, looking for features of the Cold War in it. In particular, I examine the cyber capabilities of the United States, Russia and China. The article claims that the concept of cold war may be applicable to numerous historical eras, including the one that is still in effect now.