Cyber warfare is the use of digital attacks by a state, or by groups acting for a state, to harm another country’s interests. It includes espionage, sabotage of systems, disinformation and attacks on critical infrastructure. Unlike traditional war, it often happens quietly and continuously, even in peacetime.
So why do governments and their proxies fight in cyberspace at all? This article explains the main reasons, with real examples, and shows why the motive matters to defenders.
Why cyberspace attracts attackers
Before looking at specific motives, it helps to understand the setting. Cyber operations are relatively cheap, they reach targets anywhere in the world, and attribution takes time. In addition, international rules for cyberspace are still weak. Together, these factors lower the cost of acting. Our article on the advantages and disadvantages of cyber warfare covers these trade-offs in detail.
9 main reasons for cyber warfare
1. Espionage
Intelligence gathering is the most common reason by far. States steal diplomatic cables, military plans, research and trade secrets. For example, the 2015 breach of the US Office of Personnel Management exposed records of about 21.5 million people, including security clearance files.
2. Military advantage
Cyber operations can support conventional forces. For instance, on 24 February 2022, the first day of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, an attack on the Viasat KA-SAT satellite network disrupted communications in Ukraine and across Europe.
3. Sabotage of critical infrastructure
Some attacks aim to damage physical systems. Stuxnet, discovered in 2010, sabotaged uranium enrichment centrifuges in Iran. Similarly, attacks on Ukraine’s power grid in 2015 and 2016 caused blackouts.
4. Political pressure and coercion
States use cyber attacks to punish or pressure other governments. For example, Estonia faced waves of denial-of-service attacks in 2007 after a dispute over a Soviet war memorial. As a result, banks, media and government sites went offline for days.
5. Influence and disinformation
Influence operations try to shape public opinion. Attackers leak stolen documents, run fake social media accounts and amplify divisive content. Their goal is often to weaken trust in elections and institutions.
6. Economic gain
Some states use cyber operations to fund themselves. For instance, the UN and US agencies have linked North Korean groups to large thefts from banks and cryptocurrency platforms. Others steal intellectual property to help domestic industries catch up.
7. Retaliation and signalling
A cyber attack can send a message without a missile. Governments may respond to sanctions, earlier attacks or military actions with a visible but limited operation.
8. Ideology and hacktivism
Hacktivist groups attack to promote a cause or protest a policy. Some act independently. Others, however, act as fronts for state services, which helps the state deny involvement.
9. Terrorism
Terrorist groups mainly use the internet for propaganda, recruitment and fundraising. So far, destructive cyber terrorism has been rare. Even so, attacks on water, energy or transport systems remain a serious concern.
Why the motive behind cyber warfare matters to defenders
Knowing why attackers act helps you predict what they will target:
| Motive | Typical targets | What attackers want |
|---|---|---|
| Espionage | Government, defence, research, tech firms | Long, quiet access to data |
| Sabotage | Energy, water, manufacturing, telecom | Disruption or physical damage |
| Economic gain | Banks, crypto exchanges, payment firms | Money or valuable IP |
| Influence | Media, political parties, election bodies | Leaks and public confusion |
For example, a research firm should focus on detecting quiet data theft. By contrast, a utility should focus on protecting control systems and planning for outages.
How organizations can protect themselves
Most businesses will never face a full state campaign. However, many become stepping stones or collateral damage. Therefore, focus on the basics:
- Patch internet-facing devices first, because state groups often exploit VPNs and firewalls.
- Use multi-factor authentication for email, remote access and admin accounts.
- Segment networks, especially between IT and operational technology.
- Keep offline, tested backups.
- Train staff to spot phishing and disinformation.
FAQ
Is cyber warfare the same as cybercrime?
No. Cybercrime is usually driven by profit and run by criminals. Cyber warfare is driven by state interests. However, the line is blurry, because some states use criminal groups as proxies.
Can a cyber attack start a war?
It could. Most states say a cyber attack causing deaths or major damage could justify a response under the right of self-defence.
Sources
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