The book "Cyber War in Perspective: Russian Aggression against Ukraine", published by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence, analyses the nature of modern military conflict – especially its cyber component – against the backdrop of the Ukraine crisis (2013-2015). It features 18 chapters by scholars and practitioners who identify the case’s strategic and tactical implications, draw conclusions on policy and law, and analyse the role of information warfare.
The authors address vital questions such as: What role have computer network operations played in the Ukraine war? To what extent is this similar to, or different from, other modern conflicts? Is cyber war now a reality - or is it still closer to science fiction? Do states today limit their use of computer hacking? Can cyber attacks give soldiers more than a tactical edge on the battlefield? What external factors are influencing the use of cyber operations? How does Russia currently use its cyber capabilities, and will that change in the future?
This case study of the Ukraine crisis between 2013-2015, examines digital propaganda, denial-of-service (DoS) campaigns, website defacements, and information leaks by hacktivists, cutting-edge cyber espionage malware, physical attacks on Internet infrastructure, and even an attempt to spoil the Ukrainian Presidential election.
The Tallinn-based NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence is a NATO-accredited knowledge hub, think-tank and training facility. The international military organisation focuses on interdisciplinary applied research and development, as well as consultations, trainings and exercises in the field of cyber security. The Centre’s mission is to enhance capability, cooperation and information-sharing between NATO, Allies and partners in cyber defence. Membership of the Centre is open to all Allies. The Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the USA have signed on as sponsoring nations. Austria and Finland have joined the Centre as contributing participants. The Centre is funded and staffed by these member nations.
An online version of the book is available for free from the Centre’s Cyber Defence Library.