In today’s interconnected economy, trade tensions aren’t just about goods and services—they’ve created a new battleground in cyberspace.

The Escalation Path
When nations face economic sanctions or tariffs, many now turn to asymmetric responses, such as cyberattacks, rather than conventional military action. These digital offensives target critical industries, intellectual property, and public trust, creating strategic leverage without traditional warfare.

Some Real-World Impact

Consider these high-profile cases:
• Russian-linked NotPetya malware causing billions in global damage
• Chinese-linked cyber espionage campaigns targeting high-tech intellectual property
• Attacks on critical infrastructure like Saudi Aramco

Primary Targets in Cyber Economic Warfare
• Financial systems (banking, markets, payment networks)
• Critical infrastructure (energy, water, telecommunications)
• Transport and logistics ecosystem
• Supply chains and manufacturing
• Media and information channels

The Business Imperative
Organizations operating in this new reality must prioritise:

• Advanced threat detection capabilities
• Supply chain security assessments
• Robust employee cybersecurity training
• Comprehensive incident response planning

As trade tensions continue globally, cybersecurity has become inseparable from economic security. Is your organization prepared for these evolving threats?