Cyber War: An Invisible but Real Conflict

Introduction: An Invisible but Real War

In the 21st century, wars are no longer limited to physical battlefields. Today, battles are fought in server rooms and across digital networks. For example, during a recent mini-conflict between India and Pakistan, several cyber attacks were reported. These were not physical attacks with tanks and missiles, but digital strikes launched by individuals sitting in rooms with a computer and a keyboard.

Cyber war has become an invisible yet extremely dangerous form of modern warfare. In 2025, nearly every major power in the world is engaged in a race to dominate this new digital battlefield. In cyber warfare, data, networks, and software have become powerful weapons. This kind of war can damage or even collapse a country’s economy, political system, and national security — all without a single bullet being fired.

Just as some economically powerful countries use trade tariffs to apply pressure, cyber war is emerging as a similar form of strategic influence — silent but highly effective.

What is Cyber War?

Cyber war refers to deliberate attacks on a country's digital infrastructure by another country or an organized group. These attacks include hacking, data theft, system crashes, and digital disruption. The goal is to weaken the target country for political, economic, or military advantage.

In simple words, a cyber war gives one nation the power to damage the digital backbone of another country using computers, code, and networks — without any physical violence.

India vs China: Cyber Power Competition

China considers itself a global leader in cyber power and views India as a rising competitor. Over the years, organized Chinese hacker groups have launched several cyber attacks on Indian institutions as well as India’s allies like the United States, Australia, and Japan.

China operates through powerful cyber units like the PLA Strategic Support Force and APT groups, known for espionage and hacking.

India, in response, has built several national cyber agencies, including:

• CERT-IN (Computer Emergency Response Team – India)
• NCIIPC (National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre)
• Defence Cyber Agency

India adopted the Cyber Security Policy 2023, while China follows a Military-Civil Fusion model for rapid cyber expansion.

Major Examples of Cyber Attacks

Year	Attack	Target
2020	SolarWinds Hack	US government agencies
2021	Pegasus Spyware	Journalists in India and other countries
2022	Ukraine Grid Attack	Kyiv’s power grid infrastructure
2023	AIIMS Delhi Hack	Patient data leaked from hospital systems
2024	AI-powered Phishing & Deepfakes	Interference in global elections

Dark Web and Cyber Terrorism Alliance

The Dark Web has become a hub for cyber terrorism. Hackers and cyber terrorists use it to:

• Share hacking tools and illegal databases
• Exchange cryptocurrency for funding illegal activities
• Launch ransomware attacks to extort money
• Support terrorist organizations digitally
• Spread fake news to cause global unrest

Groups such as ISI are suspected of using these methods to conduct cyber operations in India, the USA, and Europe. This hidden network of cyber criminals can be extremely dangerous for global peace and security.

UN and the Status of International Law

As of 2025, there is no clear international law governing cyber warfare. The United Nations and major countries have not yet finalized a global agreement to regulate cyber attacks.

However, several efforts are in progress:

• UN Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) – working on rules of behavior in cyberspace
• Budapest Convention on Cybercrime – addressing cross-border cyber crimes
• Proposals to extend the Geneva Conventions to cover cyber warfare

These initiatives are the first steps toward a legal framework for peace and accountability in cyberspace.

India’s Cyber Security Strategy 2025

India has taken significant measures to strengthen its digital defense:

• Formation of a military cyber unit under the Defence Cyber Agency
• National Cyber Coordination Centre (NCCC) for real-time threat monitoring
• Launch of Cyber Surakshit Bharat Yojana to secure critical infrastructure
• Development of AI-based Cyber Security Framework by NITI Aayog

These efforts aim to make India digitally secure and globally resilient.

Future of Cyber Warfare

The next generation of cyber war will be driven by AI and Quantum Computing. Here’s what the future holds:

• AI hackers will conduct ultra-fast attacks that are hard to detect
• Cyber mercenaries (freelance hackers for hire) will become more common
• Election manipulation, stock market hacking, and deepfake diplomacy will increase
• Countries will invest in digital armies alongside traditional military forces

Conclusion

Cyber war is not science fiction — it is a real and growing threat. Unlike traditional wars, cyber wars are silent, borderless, and can be launched anytime. In 2025 and beyond, countries must build strong cyber defense systems and international cooperation must be strengthened to protect the world from this invisible threat.

“The next world war may not be fought on land, sea, or air — but across the internet.”