Review: 2017 Strategic Trends in the Global Cyber Conflict

Abstract

The present paper reviews the main strategic trends in cyber policy and security for 2017, pointing out the emergence of a new "Cyber Escalation Cycle:" while states are investing significant resources to improve their offensive cyber capabilities, these capabilities are subsequently being stolen, publicized and used by hostile countries to launch devastating cyber-attacks. This has led governments to pursue legislation that controls incoming technology and changes the technological relations between countries. Given the development of enhanced capabilities and the effectiveness of the attacks, we believe that leakage followed by immediate use of the leaked offensive cyber weapons against rival countries will only increase, making this issue even more contentious.