Caveat Governments go on the offensive
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Aug 14, 2025 
Ethan Cook, N2K CyberWire's lead analyst and author specializing in law and cyber policy, opens up a crucial dialogue about governments' aggressive shift towards offensive cyber operations. He contrasts defensive measures with proactive disruptions, examining recent U.S. strategies under the Trump administration. The conversation highlights the role of AI in this transition, the challenges of establishing international cyber norms, and the ambiguity of deterrence in this evolving landscape. Ethan also explores the implications of these tactics on infrastructure resilience.
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What Cyber Operations Encompass
- Cyber operations cover government-directed offensive and defensive actions in cyberspace, from protecting infrastructure to disrupting hostile networks.
- Ethan Cook frames the scope as government-motivated actions aimed at a country's security interests.
Defensive Versus Offensive Cyber
- Defensive cyber work focuses on protecting critical infrastructure, vulnerability management, and recovery from attacks.
- Offensive cyber targets specific adversary networks with tailored disruption, exemplified by Stuxnet's centrifuge sabotage.
Stuxnet As A Canonical Example
- Ethan Cook cites Stuxnet as a canonical offensive cyber example that disrupted Iran's centrifuges.
- The operation shows how targeted malware can achieve geopolitical objectives without broad collateral damage.