The Russo-Ukrainian War is the world’s first digital conflict with profound implications for global security. While Russia’s cyber offensive at the outset of hostilities was expected, what came as a surprise was Ukraine’s ability to blunt Moscow’s attacks. This was the result to a significant degree of early support provided to Ukraine by U.S. digital giants such as Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft. Almost from the first day of the Russian invasion, AWS stepped in to help secure the Ukrainian government’s critical information. Essential data and programs, including tax information, property and bank records, and government personnel information, were downloaded onto suitcase-sized, solid-state computer storage units, using a capability called Snowball Edge. In future high-end conflicts, private IT companies such as AWS, Microsoft, and Google will play a key role. The U.S. national security establishment needs to do a better job nurturing and protecting the digital titans that have been so central to creating the modern global economy and which will be major players in global security. I have written more on this subject here.
Find Archived Articles: