Cybersecurity, AI, and the New Age of Multilateral Defense – The Cipher Brief
Recent discussions surrounding cybersecurity have highlighted the disproportionate responsibility held by larger companies with significant resources, compared to smaller and medium-sized businesses. This disparity was a key theme explored in a recent conversation with a cybersecurity expert featured on the Cipher Brief.
A surprising and positive development emerging from the conflict in Ukraine is serving as a model for future defense strategies. As noted by Chris Inglis, the ukrainian resistance in cyberspace, despite facing a massive influx of attacks from Russia, has been remarkably successful. This resilience stems from a unique coalition of defense – a partnership between private sector companies (both large and small), allied nations, particularly in Europe and the United States.This collaborative approach demonstrates the power of combined public and private efforts, with Inglis framing “defense as the new attack.”
The initial response to the full-scale invasion saw a “volunteer army” of companies stepping forward to assist Ukraine. This support was driven by shared values, but concerns are growing about potential future polarization. Some companies face conflicting pressures, potentially aligning closer with china or Russia.
However, Ukraine’s success wasn’t solely reliant on external corporate aid. The nation effectively mobilized its own citizens,leveraging their diverse talents in the defense effort. This internal resourcefulness,combined with external support,proved remarkably effective in maintaining operational capacity.
Moreover, Ukraine’s experience offers a compelling case study for cloud technology. A decade ago, governments were hesitant to utilize cloud services for sensitive data. Ukraine’s reliance on the cloud, by storing data outside the country, proved crucial to its continued functionality and represents a significant “vote of confidence” in the technology.
This evolving landscape underscores the need for a new age of multilateral defense, built on collaboration, resourcefulness, and the strategic adoption of technologies like cloud computing. The Cipher Brief provides ongoing expert analysis and insights into these critical national security issues.
