Kyrgyzstan On Verge Of Cyberwar? Not So Much

Cyberwarfare has become one of these buzzwords people just like to use. But in most cases -- it isn't used accurately.

Jun 24, 2010 | 03:34 PM |

By Gadi Evron
Dark Reading

Cyberwarfare has become one of these buzzwords people just like to use. But in most cases -- it isn't used accurately.In a recent news story, "Kyrgyzstan on verge of cyber war," the author discusses how Internet attacks could soon reach the country.

As I have stated time and again, many of us now live on the Internet as well as the real world -- meaning, it is real to us. Thus, following any political, ethnic, or religious tensions, an online aftermath follows.

Defining what cyberwar means is not easy, but one thing I know for sure: Attacks by hacktivists or people trying to make their voices heard (if in an illegal fashion) do not make warfare.

To date, I believe two attacks qualify as computer attacks-based information warfare:

1. The attack against Estonia, due to the impact on Estonia and the political response globally.

2. The attack against Georgia, due to the nature of the attacks happening alongside kinetic (physical) ones.

We must try and restrain ourselves from misusing the word because cyberwarfare -- or using its proper name, information warfare -- is real enough. Hyperbole by experts and the press do not serve our reputation or ethos when the real thing happens. Follow Gadi Evron on Twitter: http://twitter.com/gadievron.

Gadi Evron is an independent security strategist based in Israel. Special to Dark Reading.

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