• by Cory Treffiletti , Featured Contributor, March 2, 2022

The world is changing around us, and it’s happening fast.  When I was a kid, the Cold War was still a tangible part of life, albeit not quite as much as the late ‘60s.  The Cold War eventually thawed out, but now we are witnessing an attack that brings the previous thaw back to an extreme boil, and much of that action is taking place on a newly established digital front.

This conflict is representative of a new era in warfare, where one country is formally enlisting hackers to engage on their behalf.  The future of armed conflict had always been less about people and more about technology, but most of us imagined that technology centered around drones and unmanned vehicles.  There’s certainly some of that, but this new digital warfare is not something many people would have expected.  This is the Open-Source War.

Ukraine is openly soliciting an “IT Army” and people are answering the call.  Cybersecurity professionals and even some nonprofessionals are diving in to help establish a new front-line online.  It is a fascinating, innovative, and potentially game-changing development.  Warfare itself is not new to the online eco-system. 

Open hacker attempts to thwart elections and stymie utilities are commonplace in today’s era, but open solicitation of these efforts is radical.  It makes sense since almost the entire globe appears unified against one country and that kind of open request is a call-to-arms which crosses borders. 

Even historically underground groups like Anonymous appear to be diving into the fray to help.  These efforts are no longer underground.  There’s no reason to be headed to the “Dark Web” to find out about it.  They set up a website and offer ideas for how hackers can attack Russian digital targets and disrupt their activity.

The metaverse is a hot topic these days, and this is a metaversal frontline.  We are creating a war front that cannot be seen but is completely tangible in its outcomes.  Mass disruption of financial systems, utilities like power, water, and security will have a huge impact on Russia’s ability to function and withstand economic sanctions. 

The galvanized force of a digital group dedicated to accountability on the global stage is interesting, but also a bit frightening.  You are essentially taking what previously lived in the recesses of the web and bringing it out into the light, permitting it in a way they have never been allowed before. 

While I understand the “why” and I do agree with the tactic in this case, I worry slightly about its future.  What cat are we letting out of the proverbial box?

Digital warfare is felt by everyone, not just the people in tanks and carrying guns.  It affects entire countries and continents.  Hackers are extremely skilled, but also proud.  They are proud of the impact they create.  My hope is that people will understand the implications of this model and will try to keep it in check. 

Be focused.  The people in Russia who are simply going to work each day and living their lives don’t need the same level of punishment as the oligarchs and government leaders who are calling the invasion.  I hope the hacktivists engaging on this battle can wield a targeted sword on the people who need to feel the pain they can create.  I hope the folks leading these efforts are attempting to guide them to avoid spillovers from deep attacks that, once unleashed, can not be contained. 

This is a war, and it is now being waged on a new front that has lasting ramifications for the future.  Let’s all hope this is a short-lived war that can be resolved quickly and without much more loss.  I think the last few years have created enough loss on a global scale.