Hear This Idea #83 – Max Smeets on Barriers To Cyberweapons
Mar 13, 2025
Max Smeets, a Senior Researcher at ETH Zurich's Center for Security Studies, discusses the evolving landscape of cyber warfare. He dives into the intricacies of nation-state cyber operations, exploring how historical incidents like Stuxnet have shaped international norms. Smeets highlights the challenges elite cyber forces face and the implications of AI advancements for future cyber operations. He also addresses the rise of cybercrime, particularly ransomware, and the complexities of digital resistance movements in conflict scenarios.
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Stuxnet's Covert Sabotage Story
- Stuxnet was a covert, targeted cyberattack approved at the highest U.S. levels to delay Iran's nuclear program without conventional bombing.
- Operators carefully engineered effects to appear accidental, delaying detection and attributing blame.
NotPetya's Indiscriminate Destruction
- NotPetya was a destructive cyberattack by Russian-linked group Sandworm, causing unintended global damage beyond Ukraine.
- This attack lacked the legal oversight typical in Western cyber commands, reflecting differing risk tolerances.
Cyber as Warfare Enabler in Ukraine
- Russian cyber activity in Ukraine varies from simple, disposable wipers to enabling conventional military operations.
- Cyber acts as a force multiplier in warfare, rather than delivering decisive damage alone.